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.

---

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

---

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; diplo- ) + -ma suffix of result

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

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

Then spike your diploma to the floor and walk out.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 20, 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

He studied construction and graduated in November 2008 with his high school diploma.

From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John

Related Words

• credentials
• degree
• recognition
• voucher
• warrant