commencement (
http://definr.com/commencement)
n 1: the time at which something begins; "They got an early
start" [syn:
beginning,
first,
outset,
start,
kickoff,
starting time,
offset] [ant:
middle,
end]
2: an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred [syn: {commencement
exercise},
commencement ceremony,
graduation, {graduation
exercise}]
3: the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the
beginning of negotiations" [syn:
beginning,
start]
[ant:
finish]