upperclassman

noun

up·​per·​class·​man ˌə-pər-ˈklas-mən How to pronounce upperclassman (audio)
Synonyms of upperclassmannext
: a member of the junior or senior class in a school or college

Examples of upperclassman in a Sentence

Only upperclassmen can go off-campus for lunch.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Roster expansion from the 85-man limit to a 105-man roster could lead to greater competition for snaps from a larger pool of upperclassmen. — Pete Sampson, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 But the units are monastic, at least by the standards of Nashville upperclassmen, who usually live in singles or in apartments off campus. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 26 Aug. 2026 Parents, siblings and upperclassmen volunteers, if the school offers them, can turn a three-hour ordeal into a 90-minute one. — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 Many of those joining the Knights for the first time had previous playing time under their belts, with 14 transfers being upperclassmen. — Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for upperclassman

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of upperclassman was in 1871

Rhymes for upperclassman

See All Rhymes for upperclassman

Browse Nearby Words

upper class
upperclassman
upper crust
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Upperclassman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/upperclassman. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

upperclassman

noun
up·​per·​class·​man ˌəp-ər-ˈklas-mən How to pronounce upperclassman (audio)
: a student in the third or fourth year of a four-year college or a high school

More from Merriam-Webster on upperclassman

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