graduation

noun grad·u·a·tion \ ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

Definition of graduation

1 : a mark on an instrument or vessel indicating degrees or quantity; also : these marks

2 a : the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma

b : commencement

3 : arrangement in degrees or ranks

See graduation defined for English-language learners

See graduation defined for kids

Examples of graduation in a Sentence

He joined the navy after graduation.
We had a party to celebrate her graduation from high school.
They took lots of pictures at their son's graduation.

Recent Examples of graduation from the Web

Following her graduation from the University of Edinburgh, Middleton briefly worked in 2008 at a public relations firm promoting luxury products and then had an events management job.

— corynne cirilli, Town & Country, "Everything You Need to Know About the Middleton Family," 8 May 2018
During that time, an image of his son, Paris, flashed before his eyes: Paris, dressed in his red school-uniform shirt and khakis the day of his kindergarten graduation.

— edwidge danticat, The New Yorker, "Without Inspection," 7 May 2018
Ronan Farrow used his experience writing an explosive exposé on disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein for The New Yorker to encourage graduates at Loyola Marymount University during its graduation on Saturday.

— thr staff, The Hollywood Reporter, "Ronan Farrow Says His "Career Was on the Rocks" Before Weinstein Exposé," 6 May 2018
Share your special graduations and honors as well as weddings and births right here.

— chris folks, Laurel Leader, "On Bond Mill's 50th, the party's extra special [West Laurel]," 3 May 2018
Just five years after his graduation from Trinity, Chang introduced what would become the first restaurant in the Momofuku empire.

— leeanne griffin, courant.com, "Chef David Chang Plans At Least One Pizza Run While He's In Hartford For CT Forum," 30 Apr. 2018
Joyce had stopped his car near the courtyard of the complex, celebrating his upcoming graduation with friends and family who had watched the young man grow up, relatives said.

— jerome campbell, BostonGlobe.com, "Dorchester man held without bail in double murder of Salem State student, father of three," 14 May 2018
Around this time last year, Greene was preparing for his high school graduation.

— bobby nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds prospect Hunter Greene remains confident despite struggles at Dayton," 13 May 2018
My mother started working after her high school graduation to help the family pay rent and never really stopped, setting a wonderfully empowering example for me and my three siblings.

— bill plaschke, latimes.com, "A timeless classic about a tireless mother — here's to you, Mary Margaret Plaschke," 13 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'graduation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of graduation

1594

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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graduation Synonyms

Synonyms

hierarchy, ladder, ordering, ranking, scale;

arrangement, array, disposal, disposition, distribution, sequence, series, setup;

degree, echelon, footing, level, place, position, reaches, rung, situation, spot, standing, station, status;

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

GRADUATION Defined for English Language Learners

graduation

noun

Definition of graduation for English Language Learners

: the act of receiving a diploma or degree from a school, college, or university : the act of graduating
: a ceremony at which degrees or diplomas are given out