1.  commencement(n = noun.time) beginning, first, get-go, kickoff, offset, outset, showtime, start, starting time - the time at which something is supposed to begin; "they got an early start"; "she knew from the get-go that he was the man for her"
is a kind of point, point in time
has particulars: birth, incipience, incipiency, starting point, terminus a quo, threshold

2.  commencement(n = noun.event) commencement ceremony, commencement exercise, graduation, graduation exercise - an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred; Array
is a kind of exercise
has parts: baccalaureate

3.  commencement(n = noun.act) beginning, start - the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations"
is a kind of change of state
has particulars: jumping-off point, point of departure, springboard, activation, attack, tone-beginning, constitution, establishment, formation, organisation, organization, debut, entry, first appearance, introduction, launching, unveiling, face-off, first step, initiative, opening, opening move, groundbreaking, groundbreaking ceremony, housing start, icebreaker, inauguration, startup, creation, foundation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, institution, introduction, origination, installation, installing, installment, instalment, jump ball, kickoff, recommencement, resumption, scrum, scrummage, startup, creation
Derived forms verb commence₁, verb commence₂, verb commence₃

1.  The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start. [1913 Webster]
"The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed “modern history.”" [1913 Webster]

2.  The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others. [1913 Webster]

commencement, n. formal 1 a beginning.
2 esp. US a ceremony of degree conferment.

Etymology:
ME f. OF (as COMMENCE)

N  beginning, commencement, opening, outset, incipience, inception, inchoation, introduction, alpha, initial, inauguration, debut, le premier pas, embarcation, rising of the curtain, maiden speech, outbreak, onset, brunt, initiative, move, first move, narrow end of the wedge, thin end of the wedge, fresh start, new departure, origin, source, rise, bud, germ, egg, rudiment, genesis, primogenesis, birth, nativity, cradle, infancy, start, inception, creation, starting point, dawn, evolution, title-page, head, heading, van, caption, fatihah, entrance, entry, inlet, orifice, mouth, chops, lips, porch, portal, portico, propylon, door, gate, gateway, postern, wicket, threshold, vestibule, propylaeum, skirts, border, first stage, first blush, first glance, first impression, first sight, rudiments, elements, outlines, grammar, alphabet, ABC, beginning, initial, initiatory, initiative, inceptive, introductory, incipient, proemial, inaugural, inchoate, inchoative, embryonic, rudimental, primogenial, primeval, primitive, primordial, aboriginal, natal, nascent, first, foremost, leading, maiden, begun, just begun, at the beginning, in the beginning first, in the first place, imprimis, first and foremost, in limine, in the bud, in embryo, in its infancy, from the beginning, from its birth, ab initio, ab ovo, ab incunabilis, ab origine, let's get going!, let's get this show on the road!, up and at 'em!, aller Anfang ist schwer, dimidium facti qui coepit habet, omnium rerum principia parva sunt.

commencement ceremony, commencement day, commencement exercise