What does recommenced mean?
Recommerce means to begin again after an interruption or a period of inactivity. It is a formal verb with an emphatic sense of restarting, especially when used of meetings, proceedings, work, discussions, or organized activities. For example, a court may state that proceedings will “recommence” on a particular day, while a project may “recommence” once delays or legal restrictions have ended. The word conveys neither necessarily a fresh start nor a return to the original point; its central idea is renewed activity after something has stopped. Although it can be understood throughout the English-speaking world, ordinary alternatives such as “resume,” “restart,” and “start again” are more common in casual speech. Recommerce is especially useful when precision and institutional formality matter.
verbTo begin again after an interruption or cessation. The word is especially common in formal and institutional contexts.
- To begin again after an interruption, pause, or cessation.
"Work on the project recommenced once the necessary approvals had been granted."
"The conference recommenced after a short recess."
"Proceedings will recommence on Monday morning."
When a serious formal event starts again, it does not merely resume—it “recommences,” a word that makes restarting sound properly official.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recommenced come from?
The word entered Middle English through French recommencer, formed with the prefix re-, meaning “again,” and commencer, meaning “begin.” Commencer ultimately relates to Latin cum and initium, conveying the idea of beginning together. The English form recommence developed its modern sense of beginning again after an interruption from these earlier elements.
Related word forms
How recommenced is actually used
Chiefly formal; it is especially common in legal, institutional, and professional contexts. In everyday conversation, “started again” or “resumed” is usually more natural.