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

The district saw student proficiency top its pre-pandemic level for the first time and also lifted its graduation rate by three percentage points. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

The teacher also reportedly spoke at the eighth-grade graduation. — Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Some research shows a link between family income and students’ test scores and college success, as defined as GPA, retention and graduation. — Beth Kania-Gosche, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

Tier 5 districts, meanwhile, whose graduation and transfer rates are the lowest in the state, will only be able to offer up to two programs. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 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