baccalaureate

noun

bac·​ca·​lau·​re·​ate ˌba-kə-ˈlȯr-ē-ət 

-ˈlär-

1

: the degree of bachelor conferred by universities and colleges

2

a

: a sermon to a graduating class

b

: the service at which this sermon is delivered

Examples of baccalaureate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The authorization is contained in SB 2482 and HB 3717, both of which would amend the Public Community College Act and allow the board of trustees of a community college district to establish and offer a baccalaureate degree program if certain conditions are met. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2025

The median time to complete a research doctorate after earning a baccalaureate degree was 8.6 years, with science and engineering recipients completing in fewer years on average (8 years) than those in non-science and engineering fields (12.3 years). —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The baccalaureate majors with the largest declines in enrollment were liberal arts, general studies and humanities (-5.9%), English (-2.6%), natural resources and conservation (-1.5%), security and protective services (-.7%) and social sciences (-.3%). —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

The Racine school listed is Starbuck – a K-8 international baccalaureate school, with an enrollment of 509, down 26%. —Alan J. Borsuk, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin baccalaureātus, respelling (perhaps influenced by bacca laurī "laurel berry") of bacheleriātus, from bachelarius "knight lacking retainers, young clerk, person with an initial university degree" + Latin -ātus -ate entry 2 — more at bachelor entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for baccalaureate

• laureate