verb
-ates; -ated; -ating
[no obj] :to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university
In British English, graduate refers only to earning a college or university degree. In U.S. English, graduate is also used for other schools (such as high schools).
[+ obj] US of a school, college, or university :to award a degree or diploma to (a student) - usually used as (be) graduated
[+ obj] US informal :to earn a degree or diploma from (a school, college, or university)
[no obj] :to move from one level to another usually higher level
noun
plural -ates
[count] :a person who has earned a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university
In British English, only a person who has earned a college or university degree is called a graduate.
adjective
always used before a noun
US :of or relating to a course of studies taken at a college or university after earning a bachelor's degree or other first degree :postgraduate