varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sə-tē 

-stē

plural varsities

1

a

: the principal squad representing a university, college, school, or club especially in a sport

b

: regular sense 1c

2

British : university

Examples of varsity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In its second year of varsity lacrosse, Tri-City (15-4) featured a roster of all freshmen and sophomores. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2025

If every high school varsity baseball player decided to go play Division I women’s softball, there would be no women left on the field. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2025

Ali played varsity for two years at Stephenville, reaching the regional quarterfinals and semifinals. —Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025

In a South Shore League game, Shane Sullivan earned his first varsity win with four innings of relief and added a RBI double as Abington defeated Mashpee 12-8. —Kevin Barrucci, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

by shortening from university (with regular late Middle English opening of tautosyllabic er to ar)

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing varsity

• junior varsity

Rhymes for varsity

• sparsity
• intervarsity

Kids Definition

varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sət-ē 

-stē

plural varsities

: the main team representing a college, school, or club in contests

Etymology

an altered form of versity, itself an old, shortened form of university