valedictorian

noun

val·​e·​dic·​to·​ri·​an ˌva-lə-ˌdik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

: the student usually having the highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory address at the commencement exercises

Examples of valedictorian in a Sentence

She was the valedictorian of her class in 1985.

Recent Examples on the Web

Tall, handsome, and polite, Benny—played by Benito Skinner—checks a near-comical number of boxes: valedictorian, football player, homecoming king. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 15 May 2025

The protagonist, also named Benny (Skinner), arrives at the fictional Yates University as a valedictorian and football star from his high school days. —Alison Herman, Variety, 15 May 2025

At his Idaho high school, Benny (Skinner) is the golden boy: star quarterback on the football team, class valedictorian, and Homecoming king. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 May 2025

Emerging into young adulthood, the inevitable damage from this obsession became obvious: Class valedictorian at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale. —Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

valedictor(y) + -ian

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for valedictorian

• chorion
• corean
• dorian
• mauryan
• saurian
• gregorian
• historian
• nestorian
• praetorian
• stentorian
• pythagorean

Kids Definition

valedictorian

noun

vale·​dic·​to·​ri·​an

ˌval-ə-ˌdik-ˈtōr-ē-ən,

-ˈtȯr-

: the student usually of the highest rank in a graduating class who gives the farewell speech at graduation ceremonies