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

And after some listeners condemned Rozos’ comments, the university withheld his diploma. —Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Alex Becerra Becerra barely had his diploma from Otis College of Art & Design before landing on the cover of Modern Painters and in Cultured’s Young Artists portfolio. —Michael Slenske, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026

Spotlight on Kaouther Ben Hania Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania will receive the inaugural Fribourg Cinema Award, a joint prize with the University of Fribourg that includes an honorary diploma. —Essie Assibu, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026

The Summit president has Colorado ties, with family in the area and a diploma from Cherry Creek High School, 10 miles from the stadium site. —Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 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