HBCU

1 of 2

noun

ˌāch-ˌbē-ˌsē-ˈyü

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

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

The background performers filling up scenes in the quads, classrooms and parties feature 59% HBCU students and grads. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Among a group of fresh titles on the platform is the sequel of A Different World, following beloved characters Whitley and Dwayne’s daughter Deborah at the same fictional HBCU, Hillman College. — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Thursday features a Harry Potter specialty ticket package, while Friday's HBCU Night includes a pregame party at the Coca-Cola Roxy and marching band performances. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Moreover, Loving made the BOXTOROW HBCU College Football Preseason All-America Team. — Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 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

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

H bar

HBCU

H beam

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“HBCU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HBCU. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

HBCU

noun

abbreviation

Examples of HBCU in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes