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
Other valedictorians are headed to schools including Yale University, Princeton University and Stanford University.
—
Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Spelman College has seven valedictorians for the first time in the school's history.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 15 May 2026
However, this year's valedictorians haven't avoided the school's more difficult course offerings.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
At the time, his high school was on the brink of shutting down—but the then-teenager battened down the hatches, studied hard, and became class valedictorian.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for valedictorian
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Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Spelman College has seven valedictorians for the first time in the school's history.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 15 May 2026
However, this year's valedictorians haven't avoided the school's more difficult course offerings.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
At the time, his high school was on the brink of shutting down—but the then-teenager battened down the hatches, studied hard, and became class valedictorian.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for valedictorian
Cite this Entry
“Valedictorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valedictorian. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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