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

Bella, the charismatic violinist who serves as both the varsity team captain and de facto female lead of the movie, sees music as the best way to earn a scholarship to pursue higher education in pharmaceutical studies. —Joe Leydon, Variety, 30 Aug. 2024

The ensemble includes a deeply awkward brother addicted to chat rooms, an uncle desperate to relive his varsity football days, and Napoleon's best friend Pedro (Efren Ramírez), who makes an unlikely run at class president. —Danny Horn, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2024

Other players looking to make a name for themselves in the inaugural year of varsity football include RB/LB John Leonard (6-1, 205), TE/LB Saiosi Hautau (6-1, 210), OL/DL Boston Oliveras (5-11, 230), OL/DL Aaron Xu (5-9, 180), WR/DB Ethan Bugarin and RB Dominic Ortega (5-3, 155). —Glenn Reeves, The Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2024

The previous season, the varsity team didn’t score a touchdown through the first six weeks. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2024

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