Skip to content
WORDS, MADE CLEAR.
Your everyday English companion

Home/Dictionary/commencing
English dictionary

commencing Meaning & Definition

kə-ˈmen(t)s

What Does Commencing Mean?

Commencing is used as a verb meaning to enter upon. It can also mean to have or make a beginning.

Word Facts for Commencing

Part of speechverb
Pronunciation/kə-ˈmen(t)s/
Syllables2
Synonymsbeginning, embarking (on or upon) and entering (into or upon)
Antonymsconcluding, ending and finishing

Commencing Definition (Verb)

  1. to enter upon : begin

    commence proceedings

  2. to have or make a beginning : start
  3. to take a degree at a university

Synonyms of Commencing

Commencing synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Commencing

Commencing in a Sentence

commence proceedings

commence the festivities

the games commenced early in the morning

Word Forms & Grammar

com·menced

com·menc·ing

com·menc·er noun

commence

commenced

commencer

commencers

commences

commencing

Words That Rhyme With Commencing

Origin of Commencing

Middle English comencen, from Anglo-French comencer, from Vulgar Latin *cominitiare, from Latin com- + Late Latin initiare to begin, from Latin, to initiate

First Known Use

14th centuryt

How to Pronounce Commencing

Commencing is pronounced /kə-ˈmen(t)s/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (men(t)s).

Common Questions About Commencing

What part of speech is commencing?

Commencing is a verb.

What is another word for commencing?

Words with a similar meaning to commencing include beginning, embarking (on or upon) and entering (into or upon). See the full list of commencing synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of commencing?

Words opposite in meaning to commencing are concluding, ending, finishing and terminating.

More About Commencing On Meaning Stash

More Words Starting With “Comm”

Merriam-WebsterReference content from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate® Dictionary and Collegiate® Thesaurus © Merriam-Webster Inc.Data credits & licensing