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

Bringing her late husband’s black-and-white photography back to Pacific Beach is a bit of a homecoming for the work of Major Morris, an educator and photographer who focused on the hopefulness of children and of people working toward greater social justice, in his images. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025

With our children's births spaced four years apart, that added up to 11 parent weekends (minus one for Covid), dozens of homecomings, and three graduations. —Anne Byrn, Southern Living, 12 Aug. 2025

Highlights will include multiple shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and a special homecoming show in Birmingham, AL on December 29, at Legacy Arena at the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex, marking the comedian’s first-ever arena show. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2025

It’s been a nice little homecoming to a role that really put me on the map. —Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 9 Aug. 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