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.

HBCU

2 of 2

abbreviation

historically Black colleges and universities

Examples of HBCU in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The packaging was fun, glossy, and on-trend, and the message behind the brand was solid, backed by clinical research in partnership with Howard University, home to the number one HBCU dermatology school. Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Since its establishment, Cactus Jack Foundation has launched a handful of year-round programs, such as the Fashion Scholarship Fund Design Ethos 101 Partnership, and the Waymon Webster HBCU Scholarship Fund. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 30 June 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for HBCU

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of HBCU was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“HBCU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HBCU. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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