It marked the end of an epoch.Source: NewsweekIn the sentence above, epoch has the same or almost the same meaning as:yokecradleeracommencement

To determine the closest meaning of the word "epoch" in the provided sentence, let's analyze the options given:

1. Yoke: This term generally refers to a pairing or harnessing, often in the context of animals used for labor. It does not relate to a period of time.

2. Cradle: While "cradle" can signify infancy or early development, it does not encapsulate the notion of a significant period or era.

3. Era: This is defined as a long and distinct period of history with particular features or characteristics, which closely aligns with the definition of "epoch."

4. Commencement: This word implies the beginning of something, but it does not inherently denote a significant time span or period like "epoch."

Given these analyses, the word "era" is synonymous with "epoch" as both refer to a significant period in history.

Final Answer

Era