Definition of "junior" in English

adjective

1. (comparable) Low in rank; having a subordinate role, job, or situation.

2. (not comparable, often preceded by a possessive adjective or a possessive form of a noun) Younger.

3. (not comparable) Belonging to a younger person, or an earlier time of life.

4. (not comparable, chiefly US) Of or pertaining to a third academic year in a four-year high school (eleventh grade) or university.

5. (not comparable, chiefly UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) Of or pertaining to the latter half of primary school education.

6. (sports, US, Canada) Of or pertaining to a league or competition limited to players below a certain age or level of experience.

   • junior hockey

noun

1. (countable) A younger person.

   • four years his junior

2. A name suffix used after a son's name when his father has the same name (abbreviations: Jnr., Jr., Jun.).

3. (uncountable) A clothing size for girls or women.

4. (countable, chiefly US, Philippines) A third-year student at a high school or university.

5. (countable, chiefly UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) A student in a junior school or the second part of a primary school.

6. (countable, law) A junior barrister.

verb

1. (ambitransitive) To work in a junior role (on something).

2. (transitive) To have juniors (more advanced students) assist in instructing (beginners).

   • 2006, Jim and Leann Rathbone, James Mitose and the Path of Kenpo The technique of "junioring" beginners and the first five lesson plan and private lessons were adaptations developed at that time. They are credited with the Americanization of Karate as a business as well as a martial art.