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

The analysts selected 13 careers that are ranked by annual salaries and meet four criteria: High school diploma only, median annual salary above $50,000, fast growth through 2032 and low-to-moderate AI risk. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025

Thousands of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas in the coming weeks, with graduation ceremonies scheduled from May 22 to June 17. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025

This is the university’s largest graduating class in history, with 2,900 students receiving their diplomas. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2025

Located a mile from Los Angeles International Airport, the campus offers an 18-month diploma and a 22-month associate degree to teach students how to repair and overhaul aircraft components and systems in preparation for Federal Aviation Authority certification exams. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 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