salutatorian
noun
sa·lu·ta·to·ri·an
sə-ˌlü-tə-ˈtȯr-ē-ən 
: the student usually having the second highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the salutatory address at the commencement exercises
Examples of salutatorian in a Sentence
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Despite a challenging start to their lives, both Bethany and Alisa excelled in school and eventually became salutatorians of their high school classes.
—
Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
High school students will not receive a class rank based on their grade point average, and there will be neither a valedictorian nor a salutatorian as there were in past years.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Here are the Class of 2025 valedictorians and salutatorians at Williamson County's public schools and private Battle Ground Academy, Brentwood Academy, Franklin Christian Academy and Grace Christian Academy.
—Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Speaking in Latin, salutatorian Aidan Robert Scully delivered a speech laced with references to Trump policies.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
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Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025
High school students will not receive a class rank based on their grade point average, and there will be neither a valedictorian nor a salutatorian as there were in past years.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2025
Here are the Class of 2025 valedictorians and salutatorians at Williamson County's public schools and private Battle Ground Academy, Brentwood Academy, Franklin Christian Academy and Grace Christian Academy.
—Gabrielle Chenault, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Speaking in Latin, salutatorian Aidan Robert Scully delivered a speech laced with references to Trump policies.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for salutatorian
Cite this Entry
“Salutatorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salutatorian. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
salutatorian
noun
sa·lu·ta·to·ri·an
sÉ™-ËŒlüt-É™-ˈtÅr-Ä“-É™n
-ˈtȯr-
: the graduating student usually second highest in rank
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