dean's list

American  

noun

1. a list of students of high scholastic standing, compiled by a college or university usually at the end of each semester or academic year.

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Etymology

Origin of dean's list

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Good made the dean’s list that year, according to a school post.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

He enrolled at a community college, sending his mother his dean’s list certificates.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2022

The program’s staff encouraged her to push through, and she later ended up on the dean’s list.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2021

He was a dean’s list student and graduated in 1956.

From Washington Post • Nov. 10, 2020

When she made the dean’s list, he celebrated.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times