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

Here is a roundup of high school varsity action on Thursday, Jan. 16. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 Jan. 2025

After scoring 10 goals on the junior varsity a year ago, the right-wing striker has two this season with three assists on a varsity team that started the week 6-5-1 heading into Valley League play. —Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

The softball program will mimic IMG football with a national team and a high school varsity team. —Jason Dill, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

The 11th grader, who attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, was an aspiring electrician who played varsity basketball for the school’s team, the Warriors, relatives said in October. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 3 Jan. 2025

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