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

Last March, her first varsity start was a 7-3 win over St. Laurence. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

Today, kids interested in pretty much any sport often have multiple clubs and leagues to choose from instead of playing on their high school’s varsity squads. —Mark Rerick, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025

He’s been a varsity starter since his freshman season at Lake Minneola. —Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2025

Mack has brought her best ever since entering the varsity ranks. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 11 Mar. 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

Rhymes for varsity

• sparsity
• intervarsity

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