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
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Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Completely restore the retailer's commitment to DEI. Create community centers at 10 HBCU (Historically Black colleges and universities) to teach retail business at every level.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Bowie State University competes in this HBCU conference.
—John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
The Global Black Economic Forum does this in many ways including partnerships with and programs serving HBCU students and Black entrepreneurs.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 26 Feb. 2025
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Noun
According to local news station WBRZ, 23-year-old Caleb McCray, a former student at the HBCU and member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, was taken into custody on one count of hazing and one count of manslaughter.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Completely restore the retailer's commitment to DEI. Create community centers at 10 HBCU (Historically Black colleges and universities) to teach retail business at every level.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Bowie State University competes in this HBCU conference.
—John Coffren, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025
The Global Black Economic Forum does this in many ways including partnerships with and programs serving HBCU students and Black entrepreneurs.
—Brea Baker, refinery29.com, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for HBCU
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Cite this Entry
“HBCU.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HBCU. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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