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 another photo, Carys was smiling and looking at her famous father while holding her diploma. —Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025

Alternatively, teen drivers are automatically issued a Class D license (for free) at age 18 or earlier with their GED or High School diploma. —Charles Singh, The Tennessean, 18 Aug. 2025

Students graduate with more than a diploma—also internships, project portfolios, and college credits that open doors. —Vicki Phillips, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

About 38% of graduates feel like their student loans have limited their career growth more than their diploma has accelerated it, according to a recent survey conducted by Indeed. —Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for diploma

• aroma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

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