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

After her departure and some player graduations, Western Kentucky needed to rebuild the roster. —Grace Raynor, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026

From Easter brunch to graduations, weddings, job interviews and first office jobs, there are certain moments when young men need to step beyond hoodies and sneakers and reach for something a little more polished. —ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026

Half of college graduates from the last decade were underemployed a year after graduation, and nearly three-quarters stayed that way for a decade. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026

The six-year graduation rate for UNCF African American scholarships is 70%, according to the organization’s website, which is 11% higher than the overall national average and 31% higher than the national average for Black Americans. —Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026

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