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

The job generally requires only a high school diploma, often with an apprenticeship. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

For us, that translates into wage gains greater than $18,000 for an associate degree from Saddleback College over a high school diploma. —Pat Maio, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025

The Palantir leader goes as far as completely disregarding elite diplomas when considering who to hire at the company. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025

The school allows adults 18 to 50 years old to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and certification in one of at least 10 career and technical programs. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 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