graduation

American  

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

noun

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

She said she would be watching from the sidelines when the society achieved its aims as she had accepted a job with US aerospace manufacturing company Relativity Space, which would begin after her graduation.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

The debt obligation adds about $3 million a year to the budget, but athletes are among the most likely to stay at the campus through graduation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

He also said he took on the teachers union, which he once worked for, resulting in a 60% increase in the graduation rate.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The severity of seemingly mundane, everyday anxieties — school bullies, the prom, graduation, obnoxious Cher-obsessed college roommates — is on par with demons trying to hasten the apocalypse.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

A few days before the end of the school year, our class practiced for graduation in the auditorium, which also served as the cafeteria.

From "Breaking Through" by Francisco Jiménez

Related Words

• convocation