homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkə-miŋ 

1

: a return home

a soldier's homecoming

2

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home

especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a high school, college, or university

—often used before another noun

a homecoming rally

homecoming weekend

the annual homecoming game/dance

was elected the homecoming queen

Examples of homecoming in a Sentence

A large crowd gathered at the airport for the soldiers' homecoming.

Recent Examples on the Web

Israelis and Palestinians have been gripped by emotional homecomings during the truce, which began in late January. —Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Dixon recorded the record in Richmond, Virginia, something of a homecoming that put the lives of everyone around him into perspective. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025

Other performers at the homecoming concert special were Eddie Vedder, Jack White, Jelly Roll, Lady Gaga, Post Malone, DEVO, Mumford & Sons, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The B-52s and The Roots. —Marina Watts, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025

Nodding toward this Odyssean journey, Wang’s novel presents a familiar tale of war and homecoming, rife with correspondence, death, and pangs of yearning for a beloved back home. —The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkəm-ing 

1

: a return home

2

a

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented

b

: a yearly celebration for alumni at a school