letterman

See also: Letterman

English

Etymology

letter +‎ -man

Noun

letterman (plural lettermen)

1. (US) A student who has attained a specified level of participation in a sporting or other activity, and is awarded a cloth “letter” to be affixed to an item of clothing.
   • 1967, United States Office of Education, Stepping Up with PACE, page 12:

     The children seem to catch their enthusiasm from the energetic instructors, ten of them former lettermen at Kansas universities.

   • 2000, Cecilia Aros Hunter, Leslie Gene Hunter, Texas A&M University Kingsville, Arcadia Publishing, →ISBN, page 62:

     Cousins told the students of their responsibility emphasizing that the sweaters were given them in recognition by the school that they were the “best in the field.” Coach Smith distributed the dark blue slip over sweaters with a gold block T on the front to the lettermen.

Derived terms

• letterman jacket