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

Afterward, the graduates, proudly holding their diplomas, posed for photos with their families. —Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2025

Although the receipt of a high school diploma may seem small compared to a Medal of Honor, Ret. —Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 15 Nov. 2025

In a video captured by a Bee journalist, Sodke is seen boisterously entering the stage at Golden 1 Center to receiver her diploma from Chancellor Gary May while cheering on her fellow undergraduates that day. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Still, Sarrazin emphasizes that having the diploma alone isn’t enough to guarantee success. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

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