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

Economic research shows that college graduates earn more than their peers with only a high school diploma. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025

For now, difficulties appear to extend beyond those bestowed with a diploma. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025

Kapil holds a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communication Engineering and a master’s diploma in journalism from the Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore. —Kapil Kajal, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2025

Wilkerson, Wilson said, attended Edison High School in Lake Station and later got her general equivalency diploma through Portage’s adult education program. —Amy Lavalley, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 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