To come into existence; take rise or origin; first have existence; begin to be.To enter a new state or assume a new character; begin to be (something different); turn to be or become.To take a degree, or the first degree, in a university or college. See commencement.To cause to begin to be; perform the first act of; enter upon; begin: as, to commence operations; to commence a suit, action, or process in law.Synonyms Commence, Begin. In all ordinary uses commence is exactly synonymous with begin, which, as a purely English word, is nearly always preferable, but more especially before another verb in the infinitive.