magna cum laudeadverb, adjective
uk/ˌmæɡ.nə kʊm ˈlaʊ.deɪ/uk/ˌmæɡ.nə kʊm ˈlɔː.di//ˌmæɡ.nə kʊm ˈlaʊ.deɪ//ˌmæɡ.nə kʊm ˈlɔː.di/mainly USat the second highest level of the special levels of achievement in a person's studies at a US college or university. The expression comes from Latin, meaning "with great praise":
In 1977, he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with an A.B. in applied mathematics and economics.
The thesis was awarded a magna cum laude qualification.
See also
cum laude
summa cum laude