diploma
Americannoun
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a document given by an educational institution conferring a degree on a person or certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed a course of study.
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a document conferring some honor, privilege, or power.
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a public or official document, especially one of historical interest.
a diploma from Carolingian times.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a document conferring a qualification, recording success in examinations or successful completion of a course of study
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an official document that confers an honour or privilege
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of diploma
1635–45; < Latin diplōma a letter of recommendation, an official document < Greek díplōma a letter folded double, equivalent to diplō-, variant stem of diploûn to double (derivative of diplóos; see diplo-) + -ma suffix of result
Explanation
A diploma is a document people receive when they graduate from a school or program. It is a symbol of academic success. You often see framed diplomas displayed in a doctor's office. Are you working toward a diploma? Then you must be in school. People receive high school and college diplomas, which they usually receive during a graduation ceremony. You could also get a diploma for a shorter series of classes in something like pottery, skydiving, or marksmanship. Even a dog could get a diploma for passing obedience school. Any time someone gets a diploma, you can be sure they finished a course or program of learning.
Vocabulary lists containing diploma
A Graduation Lexicon
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Education and Academics, List 1
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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for June 3–June 9, 2023
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Diploma now expects organic revenue growth of 12%, up from 9% as previously guided.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Marquis, who graduated from the Diploma in Speech and Drama in 1955, went on to become one of the most recognised faces on Scottish television, as a news anchor for BBC Scotland.
From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026
Maya Bhat, a junior in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Skyline High School in Sammamish, said this could help students become well-rounded.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 31, 2022
Sohna will complete his General Equivalency Diploma, which he began while in prison, with the goal of enrolling in a film production program by the end of the year.
From Washington Post • Feb. 25, 2022
Diploma in hand, Elizebeth returned to her ordinary routines as the top code breaker at the Treasury Department and the Coast Guard.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
