commenced
v.v. to start something. This is a formal word for beginning a task, a meeting, or an event.
v. to begin or start a process, event, or action. Often used in formal, legal, or official contexts to describe the initiation of a procedure.
The meeting commenced at exactly nine o'clock.
The construction of the new bridge commenced last week after the final permits were signed.
Once the national anthem had concluded, the formal proceedings commenced with a speech from the university chancellor regarding the institution's future goals.
The verb can be used transitively with a direct object or intransitively. It is significantly more formal than 'start' or 'begin'.
The show was commenced at 8 PM.The show commenced at 8 PM.Learners often use 'commence' in the passive voice when the active voice is more natural for events starting themselves.