graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgra-jə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: a mark on an instrument or vessel indicating degrees or quantity

also : these marks

2

a

: the award or acceptance of an academic degree or diploma

b

: commencement

3

: arrangement in degrees or ranks

Synonyms

• hierarchy
• ladder
• ordering
• ranking
• scale

Examples of graduation in a Sentence

He joined the navy after graduation.

We had a party to celebrate her graduation from high school.

They took lots of pictures at their son's graduation.

Recent Examples on the Web

If approved by the General Assembly, the program would cover tuition costs for nursing students who commit to working in Pennsylvania hospitals for three years after graduation. HB 390 is also currently under review in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. —Kymberlee Montgomery, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025

The senior will apprentice for an electrical company after graduation and start electrical school in the fall. —Matt Feld, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2025

Internships are terrific for showing college students possible options for their first job after graduation. —Christine Y. Cruzvergara, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

After graduation, Rapp moved on to New York Law School and became a labor and employment attorney. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for graduation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

graduation

noun

grad·​u·​a·​tion ˌgraj-ə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: a mark or the marks on an instrument or container indicating degrees or quantity

2

a

: an act or process of graduating

b

: the ceremony marking the completion by a student of a course of study at a school or college : commencement

3

: arrangement in degrees or ranks