graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən 

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

Synonyms of graduation

• ladder
• hierarchy
• ranking
• scale
• series

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 on the Web

This graduation season has been marked by a wave of boos and hostile audience reactions at ceremonies across the country wherever tech executives have attempted to frame AI as the engine of graduates' futures. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

On May 29, Alba penned a heartwarming tribute to Honor to celebrate her high school graduation. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 26 June 2026

Allowed high school students to assist poll workers and get community service credits for graduation (HB 461). — Gray Rohrer, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

Future Legends recently announced the graduations of two of its ongoing scholars. — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for graduation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation

Kids Definition

graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgraj-ə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: a mark or the marks on an instrument or container indicating degrees or quantity

2

a

: an act or process of graduating

b

: the ceremony marking the completion by a student of a course of study at a school or college : commencement

3

: arrangement in degrees or ranks