DCHP-2

matriculation DCHP-2 (July 2016)

• n. & adj. — Education, now historical

  the successful completion of the secondary school courses required for university entrance; often in a compound, as in matriculation class.

  Type: 3. Semantic Change — Matriculation appears to have undergone semantic change in Canada. OED-3 defines the term as entrance into a university or college (see OED-3, s.v. "matriculation" (1)), while in Canada, matriculation may mean the completion of secondary education at a level that would allow admission to university. However, both meanings can be found in Canada. The difference lies in the meaning of the term, while the frequencies of the form alone (Chart 1) provide the insight that the term is Canadian by frequency in the North American context.

  See also: junior matriculation  senior matriculation  

  • Matriculation should not be confused with graduation; it's possible to graduate from high school without the requirements necessary for admission to university.