, grad·u·ates verb, intransitive - To be granted an academic
degree or diploma: Two thirds of the entering freshmen stayed to
graduate. a. To change gradually or by degrees. b. To advance to
a new level of skill, achievement, or activity: After a summer
of diving instruction, they had all graduated to back flips. a.
To grant an academic degree or diploma to: The teachers hope to
graduate her this spring. b. Usage Problem To receive an
academic degree from. - To arrange or divide into categories,
steps, or grades. - To divide into marked intervals, especially
for use in measurement. - One who has received an academic
degree or diploma. - A graduated container, such as a cylinder
or beaker. - Possessing an academic degree or diploma. - Of,
intended for, or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree:
graduate courses. Origin: Middle English graduaten, to confer a
degree Origin: , from Medieval Latin graduārī, graduāt-, to take
a degree Origin: , from Latin gradus, step; see grade Related
Forms:Usage Note: Th