homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkə-miŋ 

1

: a return home

a soldier's homecoming

2

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home

especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a high school, college, or university

—often used before another noun

a homecoming rally

homecoming weekend

the annual homecoming game/dance

was elected the homecoming queen

Examples of homecoming in a Sentence

A large crowd gathered at the airport for the soldiers' homecoming.

Recent Examples on the Web

Sacramento alternative rockers Cake return to the capital city in March for a pair of homecoming dates at midtown’s Channel 24. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 10 Dec. 2025

While Apocalypse was indeed a big, flashy homecoming season for the show, acting as a crossover of fan favorite seasons Murder House, Coven, and Hotel, perhaps our cup runneth over too much. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025

The biggest item, as predicted, was the necklace Dawson Leery gifted Joey Potter at the homecoming dance in season 3 of Dawson's Creek. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 9 Dec. 2025

South Carolina State University, Mississippi’s Jackson State University, and Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University saw such shootings in October during their respective homecoming weekends. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homecoming

• overcoming
• unbecoming
• becoming
• forthcoming
• incoming
• oncoming
• shortcoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming

Kids Definition

homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkəm-ing 

1

: a return home

2

a

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented

b

: a yearly celebration for alumni at a school