The baccalaureate is an examination taken by students at the age of eighteen in France and some other countries.
2. countable noun [usually NOUN noun]
In the United States, a baccalaureate service or address is a service that is held or a talk that is given during the ceremony when students receive their degrees.
baccalaureate in British English
(ˌbækəˈlɔːrɪɪt)
noun
1.
the university degree of Bachelor or Arts, Bachelor of Science, etc
2.
an internationally recognized programme of study, comprising different subjects, offered as an alternative to a course of A levels in Britain
3. US
a farewell sermon delivered at the commencement ceremonies in many colleges and universities
Word origin
C17: from Medieval Latin baccalaureātus, from baccalaureus advanced student, alteration of baccalāriusbachelor; influenced in folk etymology by Latin bāca berry + laureus laurel
baccalaureate in American English
(ˌbækəˈlɔriɪt)
noun
1.
the degree of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, etc.
2. US
an address or sermon delivered to a graduating class at commencement
: also baccalaureate address (or sermon)
Word origin
ML baccalaureatus; as if < L bacca laureus, laurel berry, but actually < ML baccalaris, vassal farmer, young nobleman seeking to become a knight < ? Gaul *bakalākos, a staff-bearer, shepherd < L baculum, staff
Examples of 'baccalaureate' in a sentence
baccalaureate
My baccalaureate, a job as a clerk in the Electricity Department's offices.