commence /kəˈmens/ vt.& vi. （使）开始，着手: commence one’s business 开业；commence to read a news commentary 开始读一篇新闻评说 ［考句］The Space Age commenced in October 1957 when the first artificial satellite was launched by the former Soviet Union.太空时代开始于1957年10月，前苏联第一颗人造卫星发射上天时。［考句］The ceremony will commence as soon as the prime minister arrives.总理一到庆祝活动就开始。
commencement /kəˈmensmənt/ n.开始；毕业典礼：Would passengers please put out cigarettes before the commencement of the flight. （飞机）起飞之前请旅客们把烟掐掉。At the commencement students formally receive their degrees.在毕业典礼上，学生们正式地授予学位。
