valedictory

adjective val·e·dic·to·ry \ ˌva-lə-ˈdik-t(ə-)rē \

|Updated on: 8 Jul 2018

Examples: valedictory in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of valedictory

: of or relating to a valediction : expressing or containing a farewell

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Examples of valedictory in a Sentence

a valedictory address given by the college president upon his retirement

Did You Know?

Valedictory addresses delivered by earnest young valedictorians at high school and college graduations are as much a sign of spring in the United States as baseball games and cookouts. Though we don't know where the first valedictory address was given, we do know that the word was an institution at some colleges in the U.S. by the mid-1700s. English speakers and writers have also used "valedictory" in non-academic settings since the mid-1600s. Since a valedictory speech is given at the end of an academic career, it is perfectly in keeping with the meaning of its Latin ancestor, valedicere, which means "to say farewell."

Origin and Etymology of valedictory

borrowed from New Latin valedictōrius, from Latin valedic-, alternate stem of vale dīcere, valedīcere "to say goodbye" + -tōrius, adjective suffix (originally derivatives of agent nouns ending in -tōr-, -tor) — more at valediction

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1651

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

valedictory Synonyms

Synonyms

farewell, parting;

departing, leaving;

valedictory

noun

Definition of valedictory

plural valedictories

1 : an address or statement of farewell or leave-taking

2 : valediction 1

See valedictory defined for English-language learners

Examples of valedictory in a Sentence

He received a very warm valedictory for his long career.

Recent Examples of valedictory from the Web

Today is my valedictory as the mother of the bride.

— karen stabiner, New York Times, "A Wedding Day Saga Ends With Words From the Heart," 27 June 2018
Lulabel Seitz was a few minutes into her valedictory speech at Petaluma High School in Petaluma, California, on June 2 when her microphone went silent.

— tim stelloh /, NBC News, "A school silenced its valedictorian when she brought up sexual assault. Is that legal?," 12 June 2018
But while the establishment has uttered a shaky (likely short-lived) sigh of relief, patriot-for-hire Steve Bannon’s valedictory yawp is reverberating across Europe.

— isobel thompson, The Hive, "Steve Bannon, Patriot for Hire, Says “Vaffanculo” in Italy," 1 June 2018
Or sandwiching Beethoven's valedictory Piano Sonata No.

— richard s. ginell, latimes.com, "Jeremy Denk plays with time, and the program, at the Wallis," 26 Apr. 2018
Esa-Pekka Salonen begins a two-week podium residency with Mahler’s valedictory Symphony No.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Recommended Chicago classical concerts for May 11-17," 10 May 2018
Everything since has been a years-long valedictory, with awards from Major League Baseball and the Country Music Hall of Fame, anniversary celebrations and that lifetime achievement Grammy.

— jack dickey, SI.com, "How Charley Pride Went From Negro League Ballplayer to Country Music's Jackie Robinson," 21 Mar. 2018
The mayor’s remarks on education came towards the end of an address that announced no major new legislationand was largely valedictory.

— Washington Post, "Bowser, in State of District speech, pledges ‘reinforced’ oversight of school system," 15 Mar. 2018
But for Vonn, there is a heavy element of valedictory to her presence—and performances—here.

— tim layden, SI.com, "Downhill Bronze Medal a Soaring Triumph for Ski Racer Lindsey Vonn," 21 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'valedictory.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.