salutatorian

[ suh-loo-tuh-tawr-ee-uhn, -tohr- ]

noun

1. (in some U.S. schools and colleges) the student ranking second highest in the graduating class, who delivers the salutatory at commencement.

Word History and Origins

Origin of salutatorian¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; salutatory + -an

Example Sentences

In his salutatorian speech, Walton shouted out “my little man,” who was in the bleachers in a onesie with boats on it.

From Los Angeles Times

Olecia James filed the federal lawsuit in 2019 against the Cleveland School District, claiming officials prevented her from becoming class salutatorian because they “feared white flight,” according to the Clarion Ledger.

From Seattle Times

At Roosevelt’s ceremony Tuesday, class salutatorian Winston Page said that while each graduating class has had its own struggles, he doubted any other class had struggles “quite as unique as ours.”

From Washington Post

“These are students who are graduating salutatorian or valedictorian and, unfortunately, just had a very difficult time continuing with their higher education pursuits because of the cost,” Henderson said.

From Washington Post

After graduating high school as salutatorian, he went on to Stanford to study computer science but wound up studying art and literature.

From Los Angeles Times