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

Every September, lots of our extended family from across the country return to rural Georgia for the homecoming celebration to eat and to hang out, to just to be present with family. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

Coker’s collaboration with Topshop was somewhat of a homecoming. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 20 Feb. 2026

For her, competing in Italy is a homecoming of sorts. —Alice Rosati, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026

The homecoming bake sale has met its most popular treat of the year. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 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