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

Her homecoming, the 43-year-old said, felt invigorating because of the World Cup energy. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Earlier this month, the community celebrated Blanck's homecoming with a grand reopening. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 1 July 2026

The aesthete makes a natural savior, and his arrival in this kingdom is something of a homecoming. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

He has also been linked to Cleveland for a full-circle homecoming for the Akron, Ohio, native who also led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

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