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
Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The new series follows Deborah Wayne, the free-spirited youngest daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, introducing a new generation navigating love, ambition, and identity within the legacy of an HBCU experience that shaped a cultural era.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
The friend had linked to an article highlighting an unorthodox plea from the president of an HBCU on the opposite end of the Charlotte metro area.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country came together at Spelman College for the fourth annual HBCU Game Jam, a 24-hour competition designed to do more than build video games.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for HBCU
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.
Noun
One of the most impactful components of the HBCU model is early exposure to cultural pride, identity, purpose and opportunity.
—Dontaira Terrell, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
The new series follows Deborah Wayne, the free-spirited youngest daughter of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert, introducing a new generation navigating love, ambition, and identity within the legacy of an HBCU experience that shaped a cultural era.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
The friend had linked to an article highlighting an unorthodox plea from the president of an HBCU on the opposite end of the Charlotte metro area.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country came together at Spelman College for the fourth annual HBCU Game Jam, a 24-hour competition designed to do more than build video games.
—Jamal Goss, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for HBCU
Cite this Entry
“HBCU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HBCU. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
