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

Sachs was a four-year varsity starter and was named the 2025 Northeastern Conference Player of the Year. —Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026

She was summoned to the varsity that December for a tournament. —Clark Fahrenthold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

Zion-Benton freshman Keeley McNabb-Buckley didn’t expect to be a varsity starter this season. —Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

Pennsbury's junior-varsity squad placed fifth in the nation, while the varsity team captured first place, earning the title of national champions. —Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Jan. 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