valedictorian

Noun

valedictorian (plural valedictorians)

1. (Canada, US, properly) The individual in a graduating class who delivers the farewell or valedictory address, often the person who graduates with the highest grades.
   • 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
   • At first, it seemed a joyous occasion. There was an audible gasp in the room, then boisterous cheering and applause when the announcement was made: Ikeria Washington and Layla Temple had been named 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian for West Point High School.2021 June 11, Stephanie Saul, “Two Black Students Won School Honors. Then Came the Calls for a Recount.”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 11 Jun 2021
2. (Canada, US, colloquial) The individual in a graduating class who graduates with the highest grades.
   • 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, archived from the original on 07 Jun 2025

   Synonyms:

   dux