homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkə-miŋ 

1

: a return home

a soldier's homecoming

2

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented or regarded as home

especially : an annual celebration for alumni at a high school, college, or university

—often used before another noun

a homecoming rally

homecoming weekend

the annual homecoming game/dance

was elected the homecoming queen

Examples of homecoming in a Sentence

A large crowd gathered at the airport for the soldiers' homecoming.

Recent Examples on the Web

Saweetie got a chance to relive her days as a San Diego State University Diamonds dancer during the school’s homecoming weekend. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 28 Oct. 2024

Trump’s campaign had hoped with the Big Apple homecoming to create a moment with national resonance and get supporters to the polls with an over-the-top event. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024

Stella McCartney was one of several designers who enjoyed a homecoming moment at British Vogue’s Forces of Fashion event on Saturday, held at Central Saint Martins (John Galliano, Christopher Kane, Conner Ives and Feben being the others). —Emily Chan, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2024

There was no way a few measly audio malfunctions were going to spoil this Stevie Wonder homecoming party. —Brian McCollum, Detroit Free Press, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkəm-ing 

1

: a return home

2

a

: the return of a group of people usually on a special occasion to a place formerly frequented

b

: a yearly celebration for alumni at a school