salutatorian

noun

sa·​lu·​ta·​to·​ri·​an sə-ˌlü-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-ən How to pronounce salutatorian (audio)
: the student usually having the second highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the salutatory address at the commencement exercises

Examples of salutatorian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Despite the difference in their age, Joyce and Dorie finished high school together as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Emily Langer, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Every year, Herricks High School on Long Island honors the two top-performing seniors with the academic distinction of valedictorian and salutatorian — revealed as a surprise over the school intercom. Emi Tuyetnhi Tran, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2024 In 2014, Hamby was to give a speech at his graduation as the salutatorian of his Brawley Union High School class. Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 20 Nov. 2023 Born in 1933, Salzman graduated salutatorian of his high school class, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and served in the Air Force. Jonathan Edwards, Washington Post, 26 July 2023 Victor Li Li’s accomplishments include playing varsity tennis, serving as the captain of Jesuit’s Ethics Bowl team, winning mathematics competitions, earning the title of salutatorian, serving on the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Board, and twice winning a gold-level presidential volunteer service award. oregonlive, 21 June 2023 In her remarks not long afterward, Class of 2023 salutatorian Emily Espina-Palma also spoke of her classmates who died. Sabby Robinson, Washington Post, 6 June 2023 Both are headed to UConn this fall, with Tirado, the salutatorian of Weaver High’s Class of 2022, set to major in biology, while Rokycky, a Wethersfield resident who is graduating from University High School of Science and Engineering, is entering the university’s honors program. Ted Glanzer, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2022 Virginia attended five different high schools before graduating as the salutatorian of Germantown High School in Philadelphia. Dylan Loeb McClain, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'salutatorian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of salutatorian was circa 1847

Dictionary Entries Near salutatorian

Cite this Entry

“Salutatorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salutatorian. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

salutatorian

noun
sa·​lu·​ta·​to·​ri·​an sə-ˌlüt-ə-ˈtōr-ē-ən How to pronounce salutatorian (audio)
-ˈtȯr-
: the graduating student usually second highest in rank
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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