diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

plural diplomas

1

plural also diplomata də-ˈplō-mə-tə  : an official or state document : charter

2

: a writing usually under seal conferring some honor or privilege

3

: a document bearing record of graduation from or of a degree conferred by an educational institution

Examples of diploma in a Sentence

He earned his high school diploma by attending classes at night.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jurors saw photos of the teenage Horner in his cap and gown and a copy of his Azle High School diploma. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 May 2026

To enroll in the HVAC/R technician program, students must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED. —Sarah Moreno may 1, Miami Herald, 1 May 2026

Campbell is a keen botanist and has a diploma from the Royal Horticultural Society; Robertson has started learning how to mend clothes and is an avid music video fan. —Barry Levitt, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026

Under a plea agreement, Nwaokwu admitted to conspiring with others to sell fake nursing diplomas and educational transcripts. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, passport, diploma, from Greek diplōma folded paper, passport, from diploun to double, from diploos

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing diploma

• diploma mill

Rhymes for diploma

• aroma
• fibroma
• glaucoma
• glioma
• lipoma
• lymphoma
• myoma
• myxoma
• neuroma
• paloma
• schwannoma
• scotoma

Kids Definition

diploma

noun

di·​plo·​ma də-ˈplō-mə 

: a document granting a special right, honor, or power

especially : a document that shows a person has finished a course or graduated from a school