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
Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
This season dove into her relationships, academic struggles, and the joys of HBCU culture.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Dec. 2024
Proceeds go towards educational programs and resources that promote physical, mental and emotional health and support HBCU athletics, social justice initiatives and diversity and representation advocacy.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
Red Lobster Named Title Sponsor of ESPN Events’ Band of The Year
Red Lobster, through its partnership with Purveyor Sports, will serve as the title sponsor of the ESPN Events 2024 Band of the Year HBCU national band championship.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
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
Speaking to the coach was enough to persuade Hunter to follow Sanders to Jackson State, a HBCU and FCS school with far less football pedigree than Florida State, and then to Boulder and the Buffs.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
This season dove into her relationships, academic struggles, and the joys of HBCU culture.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 14 Dec. 2024
Proceeds go towards educational programs and resources that promote physical, mental and emotional health and support HBCU athletics, social justice initiatives and diversity and representation advocacy.
—Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Dec. 2024
Red Lobster Named Title Sponsor of ESPN Events’ Band of The Year
Red Lobster, through its partnership with Purveyor Sports, will serve as the title sponsor of the ESPN Events 2024 Band of the Year HBCU national band championship.
—Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for HBCU
Articles Related to HBCU
Dictionary Entries Near HBCU
Cite this Entry
“HBCU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HBCU. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share