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

Another common refrain is that permitting later work hours allows high school students opportunities similar to varsity athletes whose games often go later than state law allows teens to work. —Lauren Kaori Gurley, Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2024

The 39-year-old incumbent – sporting a City of Baltimore varsity jacket – spoke to the importance of praying for those who had been affected by the deadly collapse and acknowledging the efforts of first responders who sprang into action to rescue survivors. —Alana Wise, NPR, 26 Mar. 2024

Pieces like a faux fur coat, a deconstructed varsity jacket, a washed cotton suit are the standouts in this collection. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 25 Mar. 2024

Nomination submitted by Joel Preston, varsity softball coach at Glendale High. —Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024

After playing nine games with the junior varsity team last season, Amoroso was brought up to varsity midseason. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2024

The latest development concerns the Dartmouth College men’s varsity basketball team’s right to unionize under the federal National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). —Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Mar. 2024

Willms, who coaches the Waukesha North girls varsity basketball team, made sure to have the Wisconsin high school girls tournament on in early March. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024

Leaving the close quarters, the Bruin understudies were directed to the stands to watch the varsity workout unfolding with precision from the first day, nonstop chatter from players on the court and a brisk tempo that reignited Walton. —Scott Howard-Cooper., Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

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

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