upperclassman

noun

up·​per·​class·​man ˌə-pər-ˈklas-mən How to pronounce upperclassman (audio)
Synonyms of upperclassmannext
: a member of the junior or senior class in a school or college

Examples of upperclassman in a Sentence

Only upperclassmen can go off-campus for lunch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Both Meadow and sophomore forward Pearson Carmichael will be upperclassmen having started their college careers at BSU, and Keene is seeking to get a sixth year with the program. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 20 Feb. 2026 At the center are Lucy (Grace Van Patten), a college student drawn into an on-again, off-again relationship with Stephen (Jackson White), a charismatic upperclassman still entangled with Diana (Alicia Crowder). Jp Mangalindan, Time, 17 Feb. 2026 The two upperclassmen used contrasting styles to frustrate TCU defensively. Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026 Student reporters at PantherNOW, FIU’s student newspaper, have reported that as space is prioritized for freshmen and parts of University Apartments are prepared for demolition, more upperclassmen are being pushed off campus. Johane Saintil, Miami Herald, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upperclassman

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upperclassman was in 1871

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Cite this Entry

“Upperclassman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upperclassman. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

upperclassman

noun
up·​per·​class·​man ˌəp-ər-ˈklas-mən How to pronounce upperclassman (audio)
: a student in the third or fourth year of a four-year college or a high school

More from Merriam-Webster on upperclassman

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