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

The Gripper Half Calf looks like a classic gym sock with a cute varsity sports vibe. —Amy Wilkinson, SELF, 24 Apr. 2025

The government’s threats could impact Harvard’s athletic department, which sponsors 42 varsity sports—more than any other D-I school in the country. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Apr. 2025

In terms of hockey, the Lake Forest Scouts have been in existence since 1975, featuring both varsity and junior varsity teams. —Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

In March, Starling had to watch her sister, Abby Starling, lose a 200m race to the same trans athlete that took her varsity spot in the fall. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 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