senior

1 of 2

noun

se·​nior ˈsē-nyər 

1

: a person older than another

five years my senior

2

a

: a person with higher standing or rank

b

: a senior fellow of a college at an English university

c

: a student in the year preceding graduation from a school of secondary or higher level

3

capitalized : a member of a program of the Girl Scouts for girls in the 9th through 12th grades in school

4

: senior citizen

senior

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of prior birth, establishment, or enrollment

—often used to distinguish a father with the same given name as his son

2

: higher ranking : superior

senior officers

3

: of, relating to, or intended for seniors

a senior center

4

: having a claim on corporate assets and income prior to other securities

Synonyms

Noun

• elder

Adjective

• aged
• aging
• ageing
• ancient
• elderly
• geriatric
• long-lived
• old
• older
• over-the-hill
• senescent
• unyoung

Examples of senior in a Sentence

Noun

As his senior, she commanded quite a bit of respect.

She was his senior in rank.

high school juniors and seniors

Adjective

the senior vice president of marketing

She is a senior aide to the president.

a senior editor for the magazine

He recently became a senior partner in the accounting firm.

the men's senior baseball league

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Over the next six weeks, millions of high school seniors will make a life-defining choice: which college to attend. —Matthew Scogin, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025

The two health insurance programs for seniors and poor Americans make up more than a third of the budget. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Axios reported on Sunday that two senior White House officials acknowledged the administration was aware of and ignored the court order, with one suggesting the legal clash will end up in the U.S. Supreme Court. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025

In recent months, a number of senior security officials, including a defense minister and army chief, have been fired or forced to step down. —Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin, from senior, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin, older, elder, comparative of sen-, senex old; akin to Goth sineigs old, Greek henos

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing senior

• senior airman
• senior chief petty officer
• senior citizen
• senior high school
• senior master sergeant
• senior moment

Rhymes for senior

• consignor
• monsignor

Kids Definition

senior

1 of 2 noun

se·​nior ˈsē-nyər 

1

: a person who is older than another

five years my senior

2

a

: a person with higher standing or rank

b

: a student in the final year of high school or college

senior

2 of 2 adjective

1

: being older

—used to distinguish a father from a son with the same name

John Doe, Senior

2

: higher ranking

senior officers

the senior partner of the law firm

3

: of or relating to seniors in an educational institution

the senior class

Etymology

Noun

Middle English senior "a person older than another specific person," from Latin senior (same meaning), from senior (adjective) "older, elder," from sen-, senex "old" — related to senate, senile, senor, sir

Legal Definition

senior

adjective

se·​nior

ˈsē-nyər

: having higher rank or priority

a senior lienholder

specifically : having a claim on corporate assets and income prior to other securities