Graduation vs. Culmination — What's the Difference?

Graduation is the award of academic degree, or the ceremony that is sometimes associated with it. The date of the graduation ceremony is often called graduation day.

In observational astronomy, culmination is the transit of a celestial object (the Sun, the Moon, a planet, a star, constellation or a deep-sky object) across the observer's local meridian. These events were also known as meridian transits, used in timekeeping and navigation, and measured precisely using a transit telescope.

Conferral or receipt of an academic degree or diploma marking completion of studies

To reach the highest point or degree; climax

A ceremony at which degrees or diplomas are conferred; a commencement.

To come to completion; end

A division or interval, as on a graduated scale

(Astronomy) To reach the highest point above an observer's horizon. Used of stars and other celestial bodies.

A mark indicating the boundary of such a division or interval.

To bring to the point of greatest intensity or to completion; climax

An arrangement in or a division into stages or degrees.

(astronomy) The attainment of the highest point of altitude reached by a heavenly body; passage across the meridian; transit.

The action or process of graduating and receiving a diploma for completing a course of study (such as from an educational institution).

(UK) Endpoint (usually good) arrived at after some series of actions or events, or some period , usually after the series or period has ended. The sum of something.

A commencement ceremony.

(US) Attainment or arrival at the highest pitch of glory, power, etc.

(sciences) A marking (e.g., on a container) indicating a measurement on a scale, usually one of many such markings.

(US) A ceremony marking the completion of studies at an elementary school, middle school or junior high school, the term "graduation" being reserved for high school.

The exposure of a liquid in large surfaces to the air, so as to hasten its evaporation.

The attainment of the highest point of altitude reached by a heavenly body; passage across the meridian; transit.

(Japanese entertainment) The action or process of graduating leaving a group.

Attainment or arrival at the highest pitch of glory, power, etc.

The act of graduating, or the state of being graduated; as, graduation of a scale; graduation at a college; graduation in color; graduation by evaporation; the graduation of a bird's tail, etc.

A final climactic stage;

The marks on an instrument or vessel to indicate degrees or quantity; a scale.

(astronomy) a heavenly body's highest celestial point above an observer's horizon

The exposure of a liquid in large surfaces to the air, so as to hasten its evaporation.

The decisive moment in a novel or play;

The successful completion of a program of study

A concluding action

An academic exercise in which diplomas are conferred

A line (as on a vessel or ruler) that marks a measurement;

The act of arranging in grades