freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən How to pronounce freshman (audio)
often attributive
1
: a student in the first year of high school or college
2
: beginner, newcomer
especially : a person who is starting a job or activity
freshman lawmakers

Examples of freshman in a Sentence

My daughter's a freshman at UCLA. He was the best freshman in professional basketball this year.
Recent Examples on the Web During Herbert’s freshman year at Oregon in 2016, Dissly and Washington ended the Huskies’ 12-game losing streak to the Ducks with a 70-21 victory at Autzen Stadium. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 If the National Basketball Association and its Players Association are unable to agree on raising the age limit for players, consider restoring the freshman ineligibility rule in men’s basketball. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 The Sea Lions are led by junior Tavia Rowell (15.3 points per game), senior Ellie Turk (9.4 ppg) from Foothills Christian High School, and freshman Hannah Golan (8.2 ppg). John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2024 The best player in the game for UConn was freshman running back Nate Carter, who carried 20 times, netting 136 yards with bursts of 30 and 46 yards. Twin Cities, 13 Mar. 2024 Among the triple-nominees, freshman artist Moroney is the only one not to have been nominated for video of the year, but her nods in other categories put her up there with the big boys and girls. Chris Willman, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 The initial charges came during the fall of Grimstad’s freshman year at UW-Stevens Point, just a few weeks into the start of swimming season. USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 The freshman guard groped at her left ankle, writhing back and forth in agony, rolling into the fetal position as a trainer rushed over and sat her up. Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024 To then be able to walk from his dorm to the diner behind the Westwood Drug Store, enter the back door that saved the freshman with a stutter from unnecessary banter with customers, and often find Jerry West made Hollis Johnson’s a safe zone for Walton as well. Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freshman.' 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

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of freshman was in 1557

Dictionary Entries Near freshman

Cite this Entry

“Freshman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshman. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

freshman

noun
fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən How to pronounce freshman (audio)
1
2
: a student in the first year (as of high school or college)

More from Merriam-Webster on freshman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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