commencement

Etymology

From French commencement; analyzable as commence + -ment.

noun

1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; the beginning.
   The time of Henry VII nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed modern history.
   Yet from the commencement of mining there have been unnoble proprietors of mines, who belonged to the class of merchants. 1800, William Took, View of the Russian empire during the reign of Catharine the Second
   Commencement of a two-hourly service pattern by GWR marked the return of regular services to Okehampton for the first time since their withdrawal in 1972. There are plans to extend this to hourly. January 12 2022, “Network News: Thousands savour Okehampton visit”, in RAIL, number 948, page 11
2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others.
3. A graduation ceremony, from a school, college or university. Sometimes before the actual graduation.