diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

plural diplomas

1

plural also diplomata də-ˈplō-mə-tə  : an official or state document : charter

2

: a writing usually under seal conferring some honor or privilege

3

: a document bearing record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by an educational institution

Examples of diploma in a Sentence

He earned his high school diploma by attending classes at night.

Recent Examples on the Web

In an age of rampant grade inflation, dubious credit-recovery programs, and a general slackening of academic standards, those diplomas and grades don’t mean much—and surely don’t indicate that graduates are academically prepared for the rigor of college. —Michael J. Petrilli, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

And while a high school diploma or GED is mandatory, a university degree is not required. —Niccolo Serratt, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024

Most flight attendant positions require at least a high school diploma, experience in customer service and on-the-job training. —Morgan Smith, CNBC, 5 Dec. 2024

Of the 750 employees the company plans to hire, Ricks said half will require four-year college degrees, and the other half will only need a two-year degree or high school diploma. —Ricardo Torres, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, passport, diploma, from Greek diplōma folded paper, passport, from diploun to double, from diploos

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diploma

• diploma mill

Kids Definition

diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

: a document granting a special right, honor, or power

especially : a document that shows a person has finished a course or graduated from a school