freshman

noun

fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən How to pronounce freshman (audio)
often attributive
1
: a student in the first year of high school or college
2
: beginner, newcomer
especially : a person who is starting a job or activity
freshman lawmakers

Examples of freshman in a Sentence

My daughter's a freshman at UCLA. He was the best freshman in professional basketball this year.
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.
Past deaths of Lakota Local Schools students On March 23, 2024, 14-year-old Laith Masri, a freshman at Lakota West High School, was killed in a crash at the intersection of Verity Parkway and Hughes Street, which also injured four other students that were involved. Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 23 July 2025 Baccarin also revealed on the pod that Sheriff Country — which was ordered to series more than a year ago but got held for the 2025-26 TV season — has a 20-episode order for its freshman run. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 22 July 2025 The Tigers also have a pair of true freshmen in Dante McClellan and Jason King. Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2025 The freshman senator reported raising $596,348 in the first half of this year, and having $107,720 in cash on hand as of June 30. Lauren Lifke, Baltimore Sun, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for freshman

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of freshman was in 1557

Cite this Entry

“Freshman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freshman. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

freshman

noun
fresh·​man ˈfresh-mən How to pronounce freshman (audio)
1
2
: a student in the first year (as of high school or college)

More from Merriam-Webster on freshman

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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