plural HBCUs
: a college or university in the U.S. established before 1964 for African American students : a historically Black college or university
the state's largest HBCU
Note: The term HBCU was created as a federal designation during the 1986 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which expanded federal funding for colleges and universities.
historically Black colleges and universities
Examples of HBCU in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
His appearance also helped kick off the 3rd HBCU First Look Film Festival held on Howard University’s campus, a fest that gained attention when the Obamas screened their Netflix film Rustin during the festival’s inaugural year.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
The first of these events will be held at JCSU, followed by statewide performances at partner HBCU institutions, including Elizabeth City State University, Livingstone College, Winston-Salem State University and schools within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
Texas basketball coach Sean Miller completes his first nonconference slate Monday with the Longhorns against Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that has never competed in the NCAA Tournament.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 22 Dec. 2025
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Noun
Faulk’s deal at Southern is for three years and is worth $400,000 annually, one of the highest salaries for an HBCU school.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
His appearance also helped kick off the 3rd HBCU First Look Film Festival held on Howard University’s campus, a fest that gained attention when the Obamas screened their Netflix film Rustin during the festival’s inaugural year.
—Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 3 Jan. 2026
The first of these events will be held at JCSU, followed by statewide performances at partner HBCU institutions, including Elizabeth City State University, Livingstone College, Winston-Salem State University and schools within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools district.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 30 Dec. 2025
Texas basketball coach Sean Miller completes his first nonconference slate Monday with the Longhorns against Maryland Eastern Shore, an HBCU from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that has never competed in the NCAA Tournament.
—Thomas Jones, Austin American Statesman, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for HBCU
Cite this Entry
“HBCU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HBCU. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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