What does "homecoming" mean?

1. (returning home) the act of coming back to your home or your country after being away for a long time. 2. (school celebration) an annual event at American schools and universities to welcome back former students.

How do you use "homecoming"?

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'homecoming game' or 'homecoming queen'.

homecoming

US //ˈhoʊmˌkəmɪŋ// UK //hˈəʊmkʌmɪŋ// home·com·ing

1 returning home (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the act of coming back to your home or your country after being away for a long time.

the act of returning to one's home, family, or native country after a prolonged absence.

Example

The soldier's homecoming was a joyful event for the whole family.

Example

After ten years of living abroad, her homecoming was bittersweet as she noticed how much the old neighbourhood had changed in her absence.
- return
- arrival
- departure
- exodus
2 school celebration (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate American English

an annual event at American schools and universities to welcome back former students.

an annual tradition in North American secondary and tertiary education involving a football game and social events to welcome back alumni.

Example

She bought a beautiful new dress for the homecoming dance next week.

Example

The university's homecoming weekend featured a massive parade through the town centre followed by a highly anticipated football match against their rivals.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'homecoming game' or 'homecoming queen'.
- reunion
- celebration

Origin

From Middle English hom-comyng, home komyng, home-cumyng, home-commynge, equivalent to home + coming. Probably an alteration of earlier Middle English hom-come, homkome, hame-come, ham-cume, from Old English hāmcyme (“homecoming; return”).