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

The organization is ecstatic for its homecoming weekend at American Legion Memorial Stadium. —Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 5 June 2025

The Big Ten also shared that Minnesota’s homecoming game against Purdue will start at 6 or 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 May 2025

Thornton finished with 13 points, six rebounds and four steals in her homecoming. —Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 May 2025

The appointment is a homecoming of sorts for Kehoe, 70, who in the early ’90s served as the office’s second-in-command. —Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 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