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

INSIDER TIP: Head downtown for salutatorian Fusion Taco, another food truck turned brick-and-mortar.

From The Daily Beast

A scholar-athlete, he was salutatorian in his graduating class.

From The Daily Beast

But Bettie, with a 97.19 average, was beat out by .14 points, and had to settle for Salutatorian status.

From The Daily Beast

All the salutatorian had to do was to sit still and hear what the other speakers had to say and feel good.

From Project Gutenberg

May 29, 1884, he graduated from the Atlanta Baptist College as salutatorian.

From Project Gutenberg