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 advisor emphasized that the only degree that guarantees a job after graduation is computer science. — Anna Demeo, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Hamilton students were, in their basic indifference, not unlike the typical Gators of my own undergraduate years, trying to cruise through the graduation requirements by whatever means necessary. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

With reigning state champion DeSoto moving down to Class 5A, Aledo and Carroll could find themselves among the championship contenders despite both squads losing a large chunk of talent to graduation. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026

Lopez shares the 18-year-old, who debuted their new name at their high school graduation, as well as their twin Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 29 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