varsity

noun

var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sə-tē How to pronounce varsity (audio)
-stē
plural varsities
1
a
: the principal squad representing a university, college, school, or club especially in a sport
2
British : university

Examples of varsity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jayden is a starter on the varsity football team as a sophomore, playing special teams. Caroline Ritzie, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Oct. 2025 The 19-year-old reports to the varsity right away for a handful of regular-season games. Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 In Riverside County, two girls' cross country runners sued the Riverside Unified School district after a trans athlete took one of their varsity spots. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 Carson was a senior at Washington High School and a member of its varsity football team, according to the Des Moines Register and the Southeast Iowa Union. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for varsity

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of varsity was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Varsity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/varsity. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

varsity

noun
var·​si·​ty ˈvär-sət-ē How to pronounce varsity (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on varsity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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