Meaning & use
valedictorian
The student with the highest academic rank in a graduating class, chosen to give a farewell speech.
See it in a sentence
As valedictorian, she thanked her teachers and classmates in her graduation speech.
He studied every night for four years to become valedictorian of his class.
A note on using this word
The role is specific to U.S. schools; the runner-up is usually called the salutatorian.
Words with a similar meaning
top graduate
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