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
Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
The linebacker joined the HBCU’s football team in 2023 after entering the transfer portal while at Louisiana-Monroe.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 13 June 2025
No Ceilings, his ’09 Grammys victory lap, opens with an unrelenting 4-minute remix of the HBCU classic.
—Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
The Rangers host theme nights throughout the year, including Mexican Heritage Night, HBCU Diamond Day and Hispanic Heritage Night.
—Alyssa Cooper, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
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Noun
Johnson has a juris doctor from Georgia State University and no previous experience as a university administrator or HBCU affiliate.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
The linebacker joined the HBCU’s football team in 2023 after entering the transfer portal while at Louisiana-Monroe.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 13 June 2025
No Ceilings, his ’09 Grammys victory lap, opens with an unrelenting 4-minute remix of the HBCU classic.
—Pitchfork, 6 June 2025
The Rangers host theme nights throughout the year, including Mexican Heritage Night, HBCU Diamond Day and Hispanic Heritage Night.
—Alyssa Cooper, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 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 1 Jul. 2025.
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