homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkə-miŋ 

1

: a return home

a soldier's homecoming

2

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home

especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a high school, college, or university

—often used before another noun

a homecoming rally

homecoming weekend

the annual homecoming game/dance

was elected the homecoming queen

Examples of homecoming in a Sentence

A large crowd gathered at the airport for the soldiers' homecoming.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s something magical about homecoming season, especially at an HBCU. —Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Oct. 2025

The 98th homecoming celebration is open to all students, alumni, staff, faculty and community members. —Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 15 Oct. 2025

For Viola Prettejohn, who plays Lee’s niece and devotee Nancy, London marks a real homecoming, being one of very few Brits among the main cast (which also includes Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie and Stacy Martin). —Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

The shooting erupted around midnight Saturday in downtown Leland, a small city in Washington County, following the local high school’s homecoming football game. —Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homecoming

• overcoming
• unbecoming
• becoming
• forthcoming
• incoming
• oncoming
• shortcoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming

Kids Definition

homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkəm-ing 

1

: a return home

2

a

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented

b

: a yearly celebration for alumni at a school