English Reference
verb

commence

v.
US /kəˈmɛns/ UK /kəmˈɛns/ com·mence UK spelling commenced, commences, commencing

  1. 01 C2 Proficiency ArchaicBritish English

    to receive a degree from a university.

    to take a degree at a university, particularly at a graduation ceremony.

    Simple

    In the old records, he is listed as having commenced Master of Arts in 1842.

    In context

    The university archives indicate that several notable scholars commenced Doctor of Divinity during the same spring convocation.

    Usage

    Intransitive; usually followed by 'Master' or 'Doctor'.

King said six controllers were currently training, with another 15 expected to commence before the end of 2027.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

There is a clear risk that alternative supports will not be in place for participants who are exiting the scheme when these changes commence.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

From Middle English commencen, comencen (also as contracted comsen, cumsen), from Anglo-Norman comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiāre, formed from Latin com- + initiō (whence English initiate).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin com-
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated