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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

commence

/kəˈmɛns/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does commence mean?

verb

  1. To begin, start.
  2. To begin or start.
  3. To begin to be, or to act as.
More meanings (1)

verb

  1. (dated) To take a degree at a university.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/kəˈmɛns/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

We have another cruise to make to Tierra del Fuego next summer, and then our voyage round the world will really commence.
Charles DarwinLife and Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 1Project Gutenberg ebook #2087
They would come nimbly forward, and commence grubbing with their forefeet and snouts around the roots of herbage, searching for insect larvae.
Henry Walter BatesThe Naturalist on the River AmazonsProject Gutenberg ebook #2440
More book examples (3)
We know of no better way to commence a book about Atlantis than by giving in full the record preserved by Plato.
Ignatius DonnellyAtlantis: The Antedeluvian WorldProject Gutenberg ebook #4032
The conditions were not at all favourable for sledging, which I had hoped to commence as soon as the Hut was completed.
Douglas, Sir MawsonThe Home of the Blizzard Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914Project Gutenberg ebook #6137
At about this time they leave the mother, if they have not already done so, and commence depredations on their own account.
James InglisSport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier Twelve Years Sporting Reminiscences of an Indigo PlanterProject Gutenberg ebook #10818