# homecoming

/ˈhoʊmˌkəmɪŋ/ (US) · /hˈəʊmkʌmɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/homecoming
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. returning home

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The soldier's homecoming was a joyful event for the whole family.
- After ten years of living abroad, her homecoming was bittersweet as she noticed how much the old neighbourhood had changed in her absence.

### 2. school celebration

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

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

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

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

## Examples

- The high school held its annual homecoming parade.
- She wore her old class ring to the homecoming dance to show she still cared about her school.
- The university's homecoming weekend serves as a vital bridge between current students and alumni, fostering a sense of continuity and shared institutional pride across generations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.