1. (

• beginning ,
• commencement ,
• first ,
• outset ,
• get-go ,
• start ,
• kickoff ,
• starting_time ,
• showtime ,
• offset

) 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" ;

2. (

• commencement ,
• commencement_exercise ,
• commencement_ceremony ,
• graduation ,
• graduation_exercise

) an academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred ;

3. (

• beginning ,
• start ,
• commencement

) the act of starting something; "he was responsible for the beginning of negotiations" ;