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

Pack joined the Trojans midway through Glover’s four-year varsity career and was a welcome addition. —Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

With no junior varsity teams and wanting to maintain rosters, softball coaches in the Mission League are giving freshmen the chance to make an impact on varsity. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2025

The two girls, and multiple parents who have spoken to Fox News Digital, allege the trans athlete was allowed to compete on varsity despite missing practice every week. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025

Here is a roundup of high school varsity action on Friday, Jan. 24. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 25 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