diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

plural diplomas

1

plural also diplomata də-ˈplō-mə-tə  : an official or state document : charter

2

: a writing usually under seal conferring some honor or privilege

3

: a document bearing record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by an educational institution

Examples of diploma in a Sentence

He earned his high school diploma by attending classes at night.

Recent Examples on the Web

In May 2022, Stephen Curry received his college diploma from Davidson College — 13 years after first entering the NBA. — Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Upon his release, his main asset in the job market seemed to be his diploma from one of Russia’s elite technical universities. — Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026

Freelancers, whether artists, journalists or teachers, need proof of their vocation with, say, a diploma or a license, along with evidence of financial means. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 July 2026

The three scholarships include up to a 50 percent deduction each for the three-year diploma, one-year course and 16-week course. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, passport, diploma, from Greek diplōma folded paper, passport, from diploun to double, from diploos

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diploma

• diploma mill

Rhymes for diploma

• aroma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

Kids Definition

diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

: a document granting a special right, honor, or power

especially : a document that shows a person has finished a course or graduated from a school