commencement
Translation
beginning, start, graduation ceremony
Examples
We await the commencement of the festival.
We await the commencement of the festival.
This marks the commencement of a new era.
This marks the commencement of a new era.
Grammar Patterns
the commencement of ((sth.)) We await the commencement of the festival.
Similar Words
Synonyms: beginning, start, outset, inception; Antonyms: end, conclusion
Etymology
From the verb 'commence' + the noun-forming suffix '-ment'. It means 'the act of commencing'.
Memory Tips
This is the noun form of the verb 'commence'. Like the verb, it sounds formal. In the US, it also means a graduation ceremony.