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
Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Nov. 2025
The show will star Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway) as Deborah, the youngest daughter of original series leads Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), who enrolls at the HBCU her parents attended.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
After Bonet's departure, the series was retooled to focus on an ensemble of students attending the HBCU, with Guy and Hardison's Whitley and Dwayne at the center.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
In light of the uptick in threats and seemingly random acts of violence on HBCU campuses, many schools have opted to increase security in an effort to keep students safe.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
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Noun
Alabama State destroyed the Alabama A&M Bulldogs during the nation's largest HBCU football match-up, 56 to 13.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 16 Nov. 2025
The show will star Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon (Hell’s Kitchen on Broadway) as Deborah, the youngest daughter of original series leads Whitley (Jasmine Guy) and Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), who enrolls at the HBCU her parents attended.
—Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025
After Bonet's departure, the series was retooled to focus on an ensemble of students attending the HBCU, with Guy and Hardison's Whitley and Dwayne at the center.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
In light of the uptick in threats and seemingly random acts of violence on HBCU campuses, many schools have opted to increase security in an effort to keep students safe.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 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 23 Nov. 2025.
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