Begin: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in both formal and informal settings to indicate the initiation of an action or process.

• The meeting will begin at 10 AM
• She began to cry after hearing the news

Used in both formal and informal settings, widely applicable to indicate the beginning of almost anything.

• Let's start the meeting
• He started to feel better after taking the medicine

Preferably used in formal contexts to mark the start of an event, process, or period.

• The ceremony will commence at noon
• Construction is set to commence next week

Often used in technical or formal contexts to indicate the start of a system, project, or procedure.

• The company will initiate a new training program
• They initiated the launch sequence successfully

Used when starting a journey, project, or new phase in life, often with a sense of adventure or risk.

• They embarked on a road trip across the country
• She decided to embark on a career in medicine

Used in formal and informal situations to indicate the start of an action or event.

• We will begin the meeting at 10 a
• m
• ; She began her journey last week

Widely used in both informal and formal contexts to indicate the beginning of any activity or process. It is the most common and versatile term among the group.

• Let's start the game; They decided to start a new business

Often used in formal contexts, especially in reference to ceremonies like graduation.

• The commencement ceremony will take place in May; The commencement of the project was delayed

Typically used to describe the beginning of something unpleasant or unwanted, such as a disease or problem.

• The onset of winter brought heavy snow; The onset of the disease was sudden and unexpected

Used to describe the action of starting something, often complex or formal processes. It can also refer to the admission into a group or society.

• The initiation of the new system took several months; He went through a tough initiation process to join the club