commencement
Meaning: The beginning or start of something, especially of a formal process, legal proceeding, or period of time.
Commencement is more formal than 'start' or 'beginning' and appears most frequently in legal, contractual, and ceremonial contexts. In legal drafting, 'commencement date' specifies when a statute or contract takes effect. In academic settings, particularly in American English, a commencement ceremony marks graduation — though this sense is less common in British usage, where 'graduation' is preferred. The word carries a sense of formality and official sanction. It collocates with 'date,' 'of proceedings,' 'of the Act,' 'upon,' and 'prior to.'
Examples
- The commencement of criminal proceedings was delayed pending the outcome of a separate civil action. 刑事诉讼程序的启动因另一项民事诉讼的结果而被推迟。El inicio del procedimiento penal se retrasó a la espera del resultado de una acción civil separada.別の民事訴訟の結果が出るまで、刑事手続きの開始は延期された。별도의 민사 소송 결과가 나올 때까지 형사 소송의 개시가 연기되었다.
- The contract specifies that the commencement date for works shall be no later than the first of April. 合同规定工程开工日期不得迟于四月一日。El contrato estipula que la fecha de comienzo de las obras no será posterior al primero de abril.契約書には、工事の開始日は4月1日以降にならないことが明記されている。계약서에는 공사 개시일이 4월 1일 이후가 되어서는 안 된다고 명시되어 있다.
- The commencement of the new academic term was marked by an address from the vice-chancellor. 新学年的开始以副校长的致辞为标志。El inicio del nuevo curso académico estuvo marcado por un discurso del vicerrector.新学期の開始は副学長の式辞によって告げられた。새 학기의 시작은 부총장의 연설로 알려졌다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old French commencement, from commencier (to begin), from Vulgar Latin cominitiare, combining com- (intensive) and initiare (to begin). In English since the 13th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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