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.
After graduation, Pareek went on to work with several prestigious companies, including Google, Apple, AMD, and Imagination Technologies. William Jones, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025 Greek students are also more likely to be employed after graduation and are more likely to report a positive attachment to their alma mater. Wynn Smiley, Baltimore Sun, 24 Apr. 2025 After her graduation, Schuyler began working as a project coordinator at Columbia University Medical Center and even spent time as a research cohorts officer at her dad's foundation. Emy Lacroix, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Piastri and his camp, led by steely former F1 racer Mark Webber, were frustrated with Alpine’s slow progress towards his F1 graduation. Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 24 Apr. 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 1 May. 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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