postgraduate

1 of 2

adjective

post·​grad·​u·​ate ˌpōs(t)-ˈgra-jə-wət 

-ˌwāt,

-ˈgraj-wət

: of, relating to, or engaged in formal studies after graduation : graduate

postgraduate

2 of 2

noun

: a student continuing formal education after graduation from high school or college

Examples of postgraduate in a Sentence

Adjective

After college, she spent her first postgraduate year studying abroad.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

By Luke Jostins, a postgraduate student working on the genetic basis of complex autoimmune diseases. —Guest Blogger, Discover Magazine, 16 Apr. 2012

At the same time, Ms. Hager showed a postgraduate appetite for media ventures on her terms. —Matt Flegenheimer, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2022

Noun

Born in 1963, Aoki was professionally trained at the Department of Sculpture at Musashino Art University in Tokyo before completing a postgraduate course at the University’s Graduate School of Art and Design. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 29 May 2025

An honor roll student throughout high school, Gretz is set to attend Phillips Exeter Academy for a postgraduate year. —Matt Feld, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1858, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for postgraduate

• graduate
• undergraduate

Kids Definition

postgraduate

1 of 2 adjective

post·​grad·​u·​ate (ˈ)pōst-ˈgraj-(ə-)wət 

-ə-ˌwāt

: of, relating to, or engaged in formal studies after graduation : graduate entry 2 sense 2

postgraduate

2 of 2 noun

: a student continuing his or her education after graduation