graduation

IPA/ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃn/
KK[ɡrˌædʒuˈeʃən]IPA/ˌɡrædʒuˈeɪʃn/

graduation — noun

  • graduationsingular
  • graduationsplural

1. the moment when a student finishes a course of study at a school, college, or un

1.nounB1
Definition

the moment when a student finishes a course of study at a school, college, or university and is officially awarded a degree or diploma; also the special event held to mark this achievement

Example

After four years of study, Maria's graduation from the National University was celebrated with a big party.

graduation from + institution

The graduation ceremony will take place in the main hall on Saturday morning at ten o'clock.

collocation: graduation ceremony

Common collocations
  • graduation ceremony
  • graduation day
  • graduation party
  • graduation gift
  • graduation speech
  • graduation certificate
  • graduation requirements
  • graduation rate
Synonyms
  • commencement

    formal American term for the graduation ceremony, often used in university contexts

  • convocation

    formal ceremony at some universities; broader meaning than just graduation

  • completion

    focuses on finishing the course rather than the ceremony

Antonyms
  • enrollment

    the act of starting a course, opposite of finishing it

  • dropout

    leaving studies before completion

Usage Note

Can refer either to the academic achievement itself ("after graduation she found a job") or to the ceremony ("the graduation starts at 2pm"). Frequently used as a modifier before another noun: graduation party, graduation gift, graduation speech.

Common Mistakes

I attended my graduation at the university' (vague).
I attended my graduation ceremony at the university.
Adding 'ceremony' makes it clear you mean the event, not the qualification.
Graduation of high school was in 2020.
Graduation from high school was in 2020.
Use 'from' after graduation, not 'of'.

2. one of the small lines or marks printed on a measuring tool such as a ruler, a t

2.nounB2
Definition

one of the small lines or marks printed on a measuring tool such as a ruler, a thermometer, or a container that show a specific amount or level

Example

The beaker has clear graduation marks every ten millilitres along its glass side.

collocation: graduation marks + measuring container

Amara checked the graduation lines on the ruler before cutting the wooden board.

graduation lines + ruler

Common collocations
  • graduation marks
  • graduation lines
  • graduation on the scale
  • faded graduation marks
Synonyms
  • mark

    simpler and more common word for any printed line on a measuring tool

  • tick

    British English term for a small mark on a scale, especially on a ruler or gauge

  • division

    technical term for the space between two graduation marks on a scale

Usage Note

Almost always used in the plural (graduations or graduation marks/lines). This sense is technical and appears mainly in scientific or instructional writing about measurement tools.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all relate to finishing a course of study, but each has a specific focus. 'Graduation' is the broadest term, covering both the achievement and the ceremony. 'Commencement' (common in the US) refers specifically to the ceremony where degrees are conferred — ironically, it means 'beginning' because the ceremony starts a new chapter. 'Convocation' is used at some universities for the formal assembly where awards including degrees are given, but it can also refer to non-graduation assemblies. 'Completion' focuses purely on finishing the academic work itself, without any ceremony. For example: 'After the completion of her thesis, she waited two months for the graduation ceremony.'

commencementconvocation ↗completion ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • after graduation
  • upon graduation
  • before graduation

Prepositions

  • graduation + from (institution)

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'graduation' comes from the Latin 'gradus', meaning 'step' or 'degree'. The medieval Latin verb 'graduare' meant 'to take a degree'. It entered English through French in the 1400s, first referring to earning a university degree — moving up a 'step' in academic rank. The second meaning, a mark on a measuring scale, appeared in the 1600s by comparing measurement increments to the 'steps' or 'degrees' on a scale.