Skip to content

Commence Definition & Meaning

commence
verb
  1. take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; "We began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as soon as the sun rises!"; "The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia"; "He began early in the day"; "Let's get down to work now"
  2. set in motion, cause to start; "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life"
  3. get off the ground; "Who started this company?"; "We embarked on an exciting enterprise"; "I start my day with a good breakfast"; "We began the new semester"; "The afternoon session begins at 4 PM"; "The blood shed started when the partisans launched a surprise attack"

"Commence" in song lyrics

See how commence is used in real songs:

  • "Yo Muggs, that's your cue, so let the beat commence"
    The 7A3 — Drums of Steel
  • "I got enough sense to put it down in the bed I commence,"
    Big Syke — Big Syke Daddy (You'll Like It)
  • "I'll try to come back for my family before the poison feeding commence"
    Cannibal Ox f/ El-P — Ridiculoid

Usage tips for "commence"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "commence" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for commence to find words that pair well.

Use "commence" in a verse

Now that you know what "commence" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

Generate a verse

Frequently asked questions

What does commence mean?
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; "We began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as soon as the sun rises!"; "The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia"; "He began early in the day"; "Let's get down to work now" set in motion, cause to start; "The U.S. started a war in the Middle East"; "The Iraqis began hostilities"; "begin a new chapter in your life" get off the ground; "Who started this company?"; "We embarked on an exciting enterprise
What part of speech is commence?
Commence is a verb.
How many definitions does commence have?
Commence has 3 definitions across 1 part of speech (verb).

Look up another word