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

Allen is losing 1,000-yard receivers Carter Harris and Arizona signee Caleb Smith to graduation. —Greg Riddle, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026

Now in Season 3, the central therapist character has new obstacles to face with the coming high school graduation of his daughter Alice (Lukita Maxwell) and pushes from his mentor and boss Paul Rhoades (Harrison Ford) to get back out there in the dating scene. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Jan. 2026

Following graduation, Kigel moved to New York City to work as a personal tennis coach and trainer. —Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

Caleb Furnell, men’s bobsled This Lee’s Summit High grad was a track sprinter at Utah Valley State but quickly found a career in bobsled after graduation in 2024. —Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 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