diploma

American  

[dih-ploh-muh] / dɪˈploʊ mə /

noun

plural

diplomas,

plural

diplomata

1. 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.

2. a document conferring some honor, privilege, or power.

3. a public or official document, especially one of historical interest.

   a diploma from Carolingian times.

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verb (used with object)

diplomaed, diplomaing

1. to grant or award a diploma to.

diploma British  

/ dɪˈpləʊmə /

noun

1. a document conferring a qualification, recording success in examinations or successful completion of a course of study

2. an official document that confers an honour or privilege

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Other Word Forms

• prediploma noun
• undiplomaed adjective

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.

Example Sentences

A few years later, with newspapers struggling in the face of smart phones and the internet, Daily moved to England to do a two-year creative writing diploma at Oxford University.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Toruño dropped out of high school amid personal instability and lack of resources, later earned her diploma and pursued a paralegal certification, motivated by her own experiences navigating the U.S. immigration system.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026

He holds degrees from University College London and the University of London Institute in Paris and a diploma in multimedia journalism from the Press Association.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

There were no restrictions on what laureates did with the medal, diploma and money they received as part of the prize, it added.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

Earning a high school diploma in East Africa marks a man as smart and successful.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Related Words

• credentials
• degree
• recognition
• voucher
• warrant