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
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.
For decades bankston has been the varsity basketball coach at Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City. — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 30 July 2026 At a macro level, Wahl said the varsity heritage trend remains strong, which is rooted in primary colors blues, greens, reds and yellows. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 For a photo call in Berlin, the star sported a vintage varsity in a red jersey shirt tucked into a plaid pencil skirt from Coach's fall/winter 2026 ready-to-wear collection. — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 28 July 2026 After playing varsity baseball at Jackson Heights’ Garden School, Pichardo got offers to play Division I softball, including from some SEC schools. — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 27 July 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 5 Aug. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on varsity

Nglish: Translation of varsity for Spanish Speakers

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