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
b
: regular sense 1c
2
British : university

Examples of varsity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The campaign video shows the gray denim worn as a matching set, alongside a black varsity jacket with cream sleeves and a black rugby top with a white collar. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 And at Camas, a biological male went from 76th in a boys JV race to first in a varsity girls meet. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The notice came as families celebrated Senior Night for the varsity football team. — Heath Kalb, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 The 6-foot-2, 255-pound Siebert had a solid junior season in his varsity debut, playing well at left guard and center. — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2026 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

Phrases Containing varsity

Rhymes for varsity

See All Rhymes for varsity

Browse Nearby Words

varsha
varsity
Varsovian
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Cite this Entry

“Varsity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/varsity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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

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