baccalaureate

[ bak-uh-lawr-ee-it, -lor- ]

noun

1. bachelor's degree.
2. a religious service held at an educational institution, usually on the Sunday before commencement day.
3. baccalaureate sermon.

baccalaureate

/ ˌbækəˈlɔːrɪɪt /

noun

1. the university degree of Bachelor or Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc
2. an internationally recognized programme of study, comprising different subjects, offered as an alternative to a course of A levels in Britain
3. a farewell sermon delivered at the commencement ceremonies in many colleges and universities

Other Words From

• postbac·ca·laure·ate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of baccalaureate¹

1615–25; < Medieval Latin baccalaureātus, equivalent to baccalaure ( us ) advanced student, bachelor (for baccalārius ( bachelor ), alteration by association with Latin phrase bacca laureus laurel berry) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of baccalaureate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin baccalaureātus , from baccalaureus advanced student, alteration of baccalārius bachelor ; influenced in folk etymology by Latin bāca berry + laureus laurel

Example Sentences

It would be easy to mistake the International Baccalaureate School at Bartow High School for a typical suburban high school.

From The Daily Beast

The president preached the Baccalaureate sermon from Gen. 5:24.

From Project Gutenberg

To this was added, that he was seeking the degree following the Baccalaureate, that of Master of Arts.

From Project Gutenberg

I got my baccalaureate from French Government in 1941—first part.

From Project Gutenberg

A dozen had taken the Baccalaureate, and were proudly repeating the pirouettes and spread-eagles of that degree.

From Project Gutenberg

The Baccalaureate sermon, delivered by Professor Francis, was very appropriate and touching.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• class
• credit
• grade
• honor
• level
• magnitude
• point
• position
• qualification
• quality
• scope
• sort
• standard
• status
• strength