homecoming

noun

home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkə-miŋ How to pronounce homecoming (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Early in the evening, Florida A&M’s Rattlers hosted the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions for the historically Black university’s annual homecoming game. — Samantha Cookinham, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026 Kevin Durant had 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists in a homecoming game for the former University of Texas star. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 The collision of music and painting is part of a larger homecoming. — Tara Anne Dalbow, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026 On Saturday, Maryland hosted the Scarlet Knights for homecoming — with plenty of empty seats — and blew a 10-point halftime lead in a 37-30 loss. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for homecoming

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for homecoming

See All Rhymes for homecoming

Browse Nearby Words

home car
homecoming
home computer
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Cite this Entry

“Homecoming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homecoming. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

homecoming

noun
home·​com·​ing ˈhōm-ˌkəm-ing How to pronounce homecoming (audio)
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
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