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 week’s biggest stories (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
Campus protests and commencement
In a moment of joy, silenced USC valedictorian graduates amid campus turmoil.
—
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024
After graduating as valedictorian from South Pasadena High School in 1945, McCloskey attended Occidental College and California Institute of Technology.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 8 May 2024
The University of Southern California made a similar call last month, following dozens of arrests and the cancelation of the Los Angeles campus' valedictorian speaker.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Popular on Variety This announcement came less than a week after USC sparked controversy by barring its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South-Asian American Muslim student, from delivering her commencement address.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Citing safety concerns, USC cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s graduation speech.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The University of Southern California has canceled a student valedictorian's commencement speech out of safety concerns concerning her pro-Palestinian views.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Sheriff Judd said Manny was the youngest of three and was the Frostproof class of 2020 valedictorian.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 8 Apr. 2024
After graduating as valedictorian, in one of his first cases, Marshall sued the University of Maryland.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2024
After graduating as valedictorian from South Pasadena High School in 1945, McCloskey attended Occidental College and California Institute of Technology.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 8 May 2024
The University of Southern California made a similar call last month, following dozens of arrests and the cancelation of the Los Angeles campus' valedictorian speaker.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024
Popular on Variety This announcement came less than a week after USC sparked controversy by barring its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, a first-generation South-Asian American Muslim student, from delivering her commencement address.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024
Citing safety concerns, USC cancels pro-Palestinian valedictorian’s graduation speech.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024
The University of Southern California has canceled a student valedictorian's commencement speech out of safety concerns concerning her pro-Palestinian views.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Sheriff Judd said Manny was the youngest of three and was the Frostproof class of 2020 valedictorian.
—Stepheny Price, Fox News, 8 Apr. 2024
After graduating as valedictorian, in one of his first cases, Marshall sued the University of Maryland.
—Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'valedictorian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Valedictorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valedictorian. Accessed 14 May. 2024.
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