homecoming

Etymology

From Middle English hom-comyng, home komyng, home-cumyng, home-commynge, equivalent to home + coming. Probably an alteration of earlier Middle English hom-come, homkome, hame-come, ham-cume, from Old English hāmcyme (“homecoming; return”).

noun

1. The act or event of returning home.
   His homecoming was saddened by the news of his mother's death the day before.
2. (Canada, US, also attributive) In colleges and high schools, a tradition centred around a football game, a parade and the "coronation" of a Homecoming Queen.
   Many alumni come back for homecoming, and many freshmen are advised to flee.
   homecoming ball
   homecoming game
   homecoming party
   homecoming rave
   1. Ellipsis of harvest homecoming.; A traditional (street) party and/or dance near the start of the school year, at around fall mid-terms. Traditionally marking the start of harvest break, where students go home in autumn to harvest the crops on the family farms.