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
The University of Southern California said security concerns prompted it to cancel the commencement speech of its 2024 valedictorian, who was an outspoken advocate for Palestinians, according to The Associated Press.
—
Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Every admissions cycle, a viral news story or social media post shockingly recounts how a valedictorian or student with a 4.0 GPA and perfect test scores was rejected from a top school.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Ritu was one of the three kids who were the co-valedictorians of our class.
—Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
If the postgraduation romance between an earnest kickboxer and a sheltered valedictorian doesn't win you over, repeat steps one and two and listen closer.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
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Brieanna J. Frank, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Every admissions cycle, a viral news story or social media post shockingly recounts how a valedictorian or student with a 4.0 GPA and perfect test scores was rejected from a top school.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Ritu was one of the three kids who were the co-valedictorians of our class.
—Akhil Sharma, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
If the postgraduation romance between an earnest kickboxer and a sheltered valedictorian doesn't win you over, repeat steps one and two and listen closer.
—Michelle Kung, EW.com, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for valedictorian
Cite this Entry
“Valedictorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valedictorian. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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