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 wardrobe staple sat at the bottom of our closets, quietly reserved for very specific moments: homecomings, awkward holiday parties, a date night that relied too heavily on a red lip. —Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 2 May 2025

Campbell said his homecoming didn’t hit him until Philly came into view on his flight back from the draft. —Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Join 3 others in the comments View Comments To celebrate his homecoming, here are some of Pettit’s awe-inspiring images from his seven-month stay on the orbiting laboratory, including long-exposure views of the colors that dance above the Earth. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 19 Apr. 2025

For Liew, who was born in Malaysia but now produces in the Philippines, the film represents a homecoming of sorts. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Apr. 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