commence

commence is on the Academic Word List.

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /kəˈmɛns/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form commence

Third-person singular commences

Past tense commenced

Past participle commenced

Present participle commencing

1. (transitive & intransitive) (formal) If something commences, it begins.
   • Synonyms: begin and start
   • Antonyms: end and stop

   The school year commenced on Sept. 4.

Related word

• commencement
• recommence
• recommencement