graduation

American  

[graj-oo-ey-shuhn] / ˌgrædʒ uˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act of graduating; the state of being graduated.

2. the ceremony of conferring degrees or diplomas, as at a college or school.

3. arrangement in degrees, levels, or ranks.

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graduation British  

/ ˌɡrædjʊˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of graduating or the state of being graduated

2. the ceremony at which school or college degrees and diplomas are conferred

3. a mark or division or all the marks or divisions that indicate measure on an instrument or vessel

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Other Word Forms

• nongraduation noun
• postgraduation adjective
• pregraduation noun

Etymology

Origin of graduation

1375–1425; late Middle English graduacion < Medieval Latin graduātiōn- (stem of graduātiō ). See graduate, -ion

Explanation

Graduation happens when you successfully complete an academic program, like high school or college. Then you go to a graduation ceremony. Scientists might talk about the graduation lines on beakers and rulers that mark out units of measurement. But when most people hear this word, they think about finishing school. Students and their families celebrate graduation from high school, college, training programs, and even kindergarten. At graduation ceremonies, people often wear funny tasseled hats and long robes, then walk up one by one to get an official diploma or certificate.

Example Sentences

St. Olaf awarded him a Founders Medal last year and said he and his family had donated more than $66.7 million to the college, beginning with a gift of $100 three years after his graduation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

As graduation season kicks off, I’ve been thinking about what I got wrong when I started earning my first real paychecks.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Last year, Allen uploaded a picture wearing a graduation gown and cap, saying he was "done" with his computer science master's degree from California State University Dominguez Hills.

From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026

I texted: “Does this end at graduation — whatever we are doing?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

It’s the shortest, easiest run I’m attempting all summer, but as I walk down our street toward campus, I’m every bit as nervous as I was on graduation morning.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

• convocation