graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce graduation (audio)
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
3
: arrangement in degrees or ranks

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Set in a school for students with dangerous powers, where teachers feast on their pupils upon graduation, this novel centers on a group of classmates who must team up to save themselves from a brutal end. Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 There are various measurements that determine the rankings, with one of the key measures being graduation rates. Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025 For the first time in Sherrill’s five campaigns, a Republican requested her military record, and got it — without the redactions required by law — showing that Sherrill didn’t walk at graduation from the US Naval Academy. David Weigel, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025 The students of Wileety For Native students, graduation is often a challenge due to systemic barriers, including isolation and a lack of representation on their campus, according to Tribal College Journal. Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for graduation

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of graduation was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Graduation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graduation. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

graduation

noun
grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgraj-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce graduation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on graduation

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