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

For Liew, who was born in Malaysia but now produces in the Philippines, the film represents a homecoming of sorts. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Apr. 2025

As a California kid, this truly felt like a dream homecoming. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2025

For Bateman, the new CEO job at Mr Porter is a homecoming, of sorts. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 11 Apr. 2025

And this week the Gophers got a homecoming of sorts from the transfer portal. —Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for homecoming

• overcoming
• unbecoming
• becoming
• forthcoming
• incoming
• oncoming
• shortcoming
• succumbing
• upcoming
• coming
• cumming
• drumming

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