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

These are women who had to sign away their right to speak about the most traumatic event of their lives in order to get a diploma or even a small financial settlement. — Gretchen Carlson, New York Daily News, 2 Oct. 2026

No one from any of the states asked us about our backgrounds or qualifications, though West Virginia did ask for proof of a high school diploma. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 2 Oct. 2026

The school, which opened in 1991, offers several certifications, including private pilots’ licenses and a diploma in aviation, and is popular with international students. — Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

The school, which opened in 1991, offers a range of certifications, from private pilots’ licenses to a diploma in aviation, and is popular with international students. — Sheikh Saaliq, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 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