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

According to Chinese media, Fang risked delays to his graduation by pursuing this research, which resulted in a material capable of maintaining integrity at extreme temperatures. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 2 Jan. 2026

There was no slowing down for him after graduation. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026

Bishop Moore was supposed to be a work in progress on offense in 2025, having lost star quarterback Bjorn Jurgensen to Virginia via graduation. —Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2026

Family, friends, politicians and community members came out in full force to welcome home a 16-year-old boy who was detained just days before his high school graduation. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 2 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