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

He was not allowed to play on the varsity team as a freshman. —Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024

But he was promoted to the varsity during the 1968 CIF playoffs and became a dominant player during the 1968-69 season. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2024

Here’s a roundup of high school varsity action on Thursday, May 16. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2024

The show followed the boys' varsity basketball team at Deering High School, set in the fictional town of Deering, Indiana. —Virginia Chamlee, Peoplemag, 20 May 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