graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce graduation (audio)
1
: a mark on an instrument or vessel indicating degrees or quantity
also : these marks
2
a
: the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma
3
: arrangement in degrees or ranks

Examples of graduation in a Sentence

He joined the navy after graduation. We had a party to celebrate her graduation from high school. They took lots of pictures at their son's graduation.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
High-school-graduation numbers spiked, but élite private colleges didn’t expand their incoming classes to meet the increase in demand. Jeffrey Selingo, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025 Employment challenges begin immediately after graduation. Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025 The program is open to students who have not previously earned any college credit after high school graduation. Jessica Peralta, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 This will be the first of such graduations that will happen almost yearly for some time. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for graduation

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of graduation was in 1594

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Cite this Entry

“Graduation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graduation. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

graduation

noun
grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgraj-ə-ˈwā-shən How to pronounce graduation (audio)
1
: a mark or the marks on an instrument or container indicating degrees or quantity
2
a
: an act or process of graduating
b
: the ceremony marking the completion by a student of a course of study at a school or college : commencement
3
: arrangement in degrees or ranks

More from Merriam-Webster on graduation

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