valedictorian
/ˌvæl.əd.ɪkˈtɔɹ.ɪən/
valedictorian · noun — the individual in a graduating class who delivers the farewell or valedictory address, often the person who graduates with the highest grades.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, valedictorian ranks #2,501 of 43,042 for Qualifying.
valedictorian is pronounced /ˌvæl.əd.ɪkˈtɔɹ.ɪən/.
Etymology
Formed 1759, from valedictory (“of a speech made when leaving”) + -an.
noun
- The individual in a graduating class who delivers the farewell or valedictory address, often the person who graduates with the highest grades.e.g.“Our oldest son was valedictorian of his high school class and went to a top university. But right about this time two years ago, our second son told us he wasn’t interested in college.” — 2020 July 2, Arthur C. Brooks, “A College Degree Is No Guarantee of a Good Life”, in The Atlantic, archived from the original on 19 Apr 2021:
- The individual in a graduating class who graduates with the highest grades.e.g.“A social media firestorm erupted last week after two Texas high school valedictorians revealed that they were undocumented immigrants heading to well-respected U.S. colleges with financial aid.” — 2016 June 17, Octavio Blanco, “Undocumented students and the controversial path to affording college”, in CNN Business:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).