diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

plural diplomas

1

plural also diplomata də-ˈplō-mə-tə  : 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

There’s a contingency of people who do not feel a diploma is a measure of success, but an engagement ring. —Emily Longeretta, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026

His son died in 2024, but artifacts from his life, like his high school diploma, remain scattered throughout the shop to keep his memory alive. —Audrey Pachuta, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Our graduates have managed real events, solved real problems and built real professional networks before receiving their diplomas. —Dr. Michael Cheng, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026

These include unreported physical and mental impairments, housing insecurity, and a lack of high school diplomas and identification documents. —Taylor Sisk, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing diploma

• diploma mill

Rhymes for diploma

• aroma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

Kids Definition

diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

: 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