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

Minnesota's ability to stop the run also will be a question mark, with the top four interior defensive linemen from last year gone to graduation. — CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

The theater has hosted a Jimmy Buffett concert, a high school graduation, an outdoor ice skating rink, and Fourth of July festivities, along with its nightly fare. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2026

Ocoee also lost its top four rushers from a year ago due to graduation, but Gurley is upbeat. — Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026

The receiving corp was hit hard by graduation but the offensive line should be much improved with the addition of Servite transfer Elisha Mueller. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 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