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 majored in history and made the dean’s list in 1965 with straight A’s but did not graduate.

From New York Times • Nov. 7, 2022

He continued his classes online, and even made the dean’s list.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2022

She was studying international relations, she had made the dean’s list, and in recent weeks she had written a series of upbeat social media posts.

From Washington Post • Mar. 11, 2022

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

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times