valedictorian

noun

val·​e·​dic·​to·​ri·​an ˌva-lə-ˌdik-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 

: the student usually having the highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory address at the commencement exercises

Examples of valedictorian in a Sentence

She was the valedictorian of her class in 1985.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mangione was intelligent – a high school valedictorian who earned an Ivy League master's degree. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 Dec. 2024

The scion of a wealthy Baltimore family who was a high school valedictorian and an Ivy League graduate was in Pennsylvania for several days, police said, after allegedly gunning down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last Wednesday outside a Manhattan hotel about 230 miles from Altoona. —John Miller, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024

Gallagher’s older sister Kiara is a former all-conference softball player and was Benet’s valedictorian in 2017, so Gallagher frequently attended the school’s sporting events. —Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025

Malick graduated as valedictorian, and Emil wanted his scientifically talented son to go to M.I.T. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

valedictor(y) + -ian

First Known Use

1759, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for valedictorian

• chorion
• corean
• dorian
• mauryan
• saurian
• gregorian
• historian
• nestorian
• praetorian
• stentorian
• pythagorean

Kids Definition

valedictorian

noun

vale·​dic·​to·​ri·​an

ˌval-ə-ˌdik-ˈtōr-ē-ən,

-ˈtȯr-

: the student usually of the highest rank in a graduating class who gives the farewell speech at graduation ceremonies