graduate

1 of 3

verb

grad·​u·​ate ˈgra-jə-ˌwāt How to pronounce graduate (audio)
graduated; graduating
Synonyms of graduatenext

intransitive verb

1
: to receive an academic degree or diploma
graduated with honors
2
: to pass from one stage of experience, proficiency, or prestige to a usually higher one
graduated to team leader
3
: to change gradually

transitive verb

1
a
: to grant an academic degree or diploma to
b
: to be graduated from
joined the navy after graduating high school
2
a
: to mark with degrees of measurement
b
: to divide into grades or intervals
3
: to admit to a particular standing or grade
graduator
ˈgra-jə-ˌwā-tər How to pronounce graduate (audio)
noun
Usage of Graduate

In the 19th century the transitive sense (1a) was prescribed; the intransitive

I graduated from college

was condemned. The intransitive prevailed nonetheless, and today it is the sense likely to be prescribed and the newer transitive sense (1b)

she graduated high school

the one condemned. All three are standard. The intransitive is currently the most common, the new transitive the least common.

graduate

2 of 3

noun

grad·​u·​ate ˈgra-jə-wət How to pronounce graduate (audio) -ˌwāt How to pronounce graduate (audio)
ˈgraj-wət
1
: a holder of an academic degree or diploma
a college graduate
2
: a graduated cup, cylinder, or flask

graduate

3 of 3

adjective

grad·​u·​ate ˈgra-jə-wət How to pronounce graduate (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or engaged in studies beyond the first or bachelor's degree
graduate school
a graduate student
2
: holding an academic degree or diploma

Examples of graduate in a Sentence

Verb He graduated from the university last June. They both graduated with honors. She graduated with a degree in history. He joined the navy after graduating from high school. a graduating class of 300 students He joined the navy after graduating high school. The word has graduated from slang to accepted use. My nephew has graduated from baby food to solid food. Adjective He is taking graduate classes at the university.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Affidavit Who was Sade Robinson? Robinson, 19, would have turned 20 in May and graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College with an associate degree in criminal justice, her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, told the Journal Sentinel. —Ashley Luthern, USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024 This year Jalen Beard and Kahlil Brown will graduate and go on to college. —Meg Anderson, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for graduate 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graduate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb, Noun, and Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin graduatus, past participle of graduare, from Latin gradus step, degree

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of graduate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near graduate

graduand

graduate

graduated

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Graduate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graduate. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

graduate

1 of 3 noun
grad·​u·​ate ˈgraj-(ə-)wət How to pronounce graduate (audio)
-ə-ˌwāt
1
: a holder of an academic degree or diploma
2
: a graduated cup, cylinder, or flask for measuring

graduate

2 of 3 adjective
1
: holding an academic degree or diploma
2
: of or relating to studies beyond the bachelor's degree

graduate

3 of 3 verb
grad·​u·​ate ˈgraj-ə-ˌwāt How to pronounce graduate (audio)
graduated; graduating
1
: to grant or receive an academic degree or diploma
2
: to divide into grades, classes, or intervals
graduated thermometer
graduator
-ˌwāt-ər How to pronounce graduate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

graduate

1 of 2 noun
grad·​u·​ate ˈgraj-(ə-)wət How to pronounce graduate (audio) -ə-ˌwāt How to pronounce graduate (audio)
: a graduated cup, cylinder, or flask for measuring

graduate

2 of 2 transitive verb
grad·​u·​ate ˈgraj-ə-ˌwāt How to pronounce graduate (audio)
graduated; graduating
: to mark with degrees of measurement
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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