graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: a mark on an instrument or vessel indicating degrees or quantity

also : these marks

2

a

: the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma

b

: commencement

3

: arrangement in degrees or ranks

Synonyms of graduation

• ladder
• hierarchy
• ranking
• scale
• series

Examples of graduation in a Sentence

He joined the navy after graduation.

We had a party to celebrate her graduation from high school.

They took lots of pictures at their son's graduation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chox Choc was getting ready to celebrate his high school graduation this week. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 28 June 2026

Lopez shares the 18-year-old, who debuted their new name at their high school graduation, as well as their twin Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 June 2026

The advisor emphasized that the only degree that guarantees a job after graduation is computer science. — Anna Demeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

If your pockets are feeling a little tapped out after graduation, Father’s Day, and all the other June events, here are some under-$25 travel deals that don’t require you to spend a ton. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for graduation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgraj-ə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: a mark or the marks on an instrument or container indicating degrees or quantity

2

a

: an act or process of graduating

b

: the ceremony marking the completion by a student of a course of study at a school or college : commencement

3

: arrangement in degrees or ranks