graduation

play

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

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

As schools struggle to raise high school graduation rates and close the persistent achievement gap for minority and low-income students, many educators tout digital technology in the classroom as a way forward.

— maria danilova, The Seattle Times, "Learning software in classrooms earns praise, causes debate," 28 Aug. 2017
That might even seem like setting the bar kind of low for the Dons, but graduation took most of the experienced runners with the exception of Finn Waters.

— steve brand, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Cathedral Catholic's top runner to start season healthy," 28 Aug. 2017
Reid is a portrait photographer who will shoot just about anything, including weddings, senior pictures (graduation), families, models and head shots.

— katy moeller, idahostatesman, "Dancing in the street: Boise photographer captures power, grace of dancers in public spaces," 26 Aug. 2017
Full-time students employed at graduation: School did not answer.

— danielle braff, chicagotribune.com, "How Chicago MBA programs measure up," 25 Aug. 2017
Naperville North: Defending state champ lost two-time Naperville Sun Player of the Year Chris Sullivan to graduation but return nearly all other key players.

— matt le cren, Naperville Sun, "Naperville North soccer defender Mitch Konrad also is hooked on fishing," 22 Aug. 2017
Maggie: An amethyst necklace my grandma gave me for graduation.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Back-to-college fashion advice from Crestwood teen and her stylish mom," 18 Aug. 2017
Listed below are the 25 lowest graduation rates in the state, per federal standards.

— AL.com, "Alabama high schools with lowest graduation rates," 16 Aug. 2017
A federal judge is set to decide the fate of an Arizona state law that forced Tucson’s majority-Latino school district to shut down an influential Mexican-American studies program credited with boosting Latino students’ grades and graduation rates.

— claire suddath, Bloomberg.com, "Behind the Battle Over Mexican-American Studies in Public Schools," 4 Aug. 2017

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

graduation Synonyms

Synonyms

³scale, hierarchy, ladder, ordering, ranking

Related Words

food chain, pecking order (also peck order); 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

play

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