baccalaureate

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noun bac·ca·lau·re·ate \ˌba-kə-ˈlȯr-ē-ət, -ˈlär-\

Definition of baccalaureate

1 : the degree of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges
2a : a sermon to a graduating classb : the service at which this sermon is delivered

Recent Examples of baccalaureate from the Web

The ceremony, held May 28 at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace, included a baccalaureate address by Father Johnpaul Cafiero.

— pioneer press, chicagotribune.com, "Nazareth Academy graduates 190 students", 31 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baccalaureate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of baccalaureate

borrowed from Medieval Latin baccalaureātus, respelling (perhaps influenced by bacca laurī “laurel berry”) of bacheleriātus, from bachelarius “knight lacking retainers, young clerk, person with an initial university degree” + Latin -ātus ²-ate — more at ¹bachelor

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First Known Use: circa 1649

See Words from the same year

Other Education Terms

colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

BACCALAUREATE Defined for English Language Learners

baccalaureate

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noun

Definition of baccalaureate for English Language Learners

: a test taken by students in France and some other countries in order to qualify for attending a university
: a sermon given to a class of graduating students at a school
: the service at which this sermon is given