commence

[ kuh-mens ]

verb (used with or without object)

, com·menced, com·menc·ing.

1. to begin; start.

   Synonyms: originate, initiate, inaugurate

commence

/ kəˈmɛns /

verb

1. to start or begin; come or cause to come into being, operation, etc

Derived Forms

• comˈmencer, noun

Other Words From

• com·mence·a·ble adjective
• com·menc·er noun
• re·com·mence verb recommenced recommencing

Word History and Origins

Origin of commence¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English commencen, from Anglo-French, Middle French comencer, from unrecorded Vulgar Latin cominitiāre, equivalent to Latin com- com- + initiāre “to begin”; initiate

Word History and Origins

Origin of commence¹

C14: from Old French comencer, from Vulgar Latin cominitiāre (unattested), from Latin com- (intensive) + initiāre to begin, from initium a beginning

Synonym Study

See begin.

Example Sentences

Both were about to commence preparation for “The Day of the Jackal” and it felt fitting to connect in a space that requires such intense concentration.

From Los Angeles Times

Officers in Scotland are prohibited by law from taking industrial action or withdrawing labour, but the decision means they will stop shifts at their scheduled time and not commence shifts early.

From BBC

Ominously, the court’s intervention signals to other states that they can commence purges at the eleventh hour, suppressing the vote through legal gamesmanship that Congress sought to ban.

From Slate

You will have to tell Alarmo your bedtime, and as long as you stick to your promise — that is, enter bed after the programmed time — the sleepytime audio will commence.

From Los Angeles Times

This included Edendork Primary School on the site of St Malachy’s Hall, with construction expected to commence next year.

From BBC

Related Words

• begin
• inaugurate
• initiate
• launch
• take up