diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə How to pronounce diploma (audio)
plural diplomas
1
plural also diplomata də-ˈplō-mə-tə How to pronounce diploma (audio) : 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 The four-year rate includes only those students who earn diplomas within four years of entering ninth grade for the first time. Zachary Smith, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2023 Raghwani quit school—completing his high school diploma as an independent candidate—to enroll in the coaching center. Akanksha Singh, WIRED, 4 Sep. 2023 These three, at least, persevere to earn their high school diplomas. Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023 Both students earned their diplomas, but neither has gone to college. Erin Einhorn, NBC News, 22 Aug. 2023 At the graduation ceremony, Adriana said, she was prevented from walking up to receive her diploma, for reasons that were never explained. Selene Rivera, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2023 Many erroneously believe candidates without a college education are wholly unqualified for even middle-skill positions, traditionally requiring more than a high school diploma but less than a college degree. Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2023 In fact, Black women with only a high-school diploma fare better in closing the gap, making 69 cents per dollar, but those are generally tenuous positions without stability and routinely without basic benefits. Michelle Holder and Anne Price, Essence, 4 Sep. 2023 In the United States, someone without a high-school diploma working ... Henry Olsen, National Review, 25 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diploma.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of diploma was in 1622

Dictionary Entries Near diploma

Cite this Entry

“Diploma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diploma. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

diploma

noun
di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə How to pronounce diploma (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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