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

Fleming celebrated graduation from SJSU in a social media post in May. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 Nov. 2025

The report cards are scored using metrics like standardized testing data, growth in student learning, student demographics, graduation rates, chronic absenteeism and attendance. —La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Nov. 2025

The Austin native dropped out of the school in 2008 to pursue his movie career, but recently re-enrolled; graduation’s set for Spring 2027. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 21 Nov. 2025

Engineering projects are like mini versions of the real-world challenges that await students after graduation. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 19 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for graduation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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