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

Additionally, during the 2026-27 school year, the UIL will allow a 35-second shot clock for basketball that will be optional in all conferences for varsity tournaments and showcases upon mutual agreement between coaches. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 June 2026

Torrence, meanwhile, spent two seasons on the junior varsity after Abraham won the varsity job at catcher. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026

Before the court are two cases — one involving varsity competition at colleges and universities, and the other involving sports in high schools. —Nina Totenberg, NPR, 9 June 2026

Meanwhile, over the past few years, US courts have confirmed that college varsity athletes have the right to control their name, image and likeness (NIL), and the ability to transfer from school to school to enhance their NIL earnings without penalty for the athlete or the school. —Dr. J. Lee Peters, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026

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