higher education

noun

Synonyms of higher educationnext
: education beyond the secondary level
especially : education provided by a college or university

Examples of higher education in a Sentence

Students and their parents worry about the rising cost of higher education.
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.
As those costs push more students to rethink higher education, scholarships are filling a critical gap. — Mekialaya White, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026 This diversity, a cornerstone of American higher education, is imperiled, potentially leading to a homogenized landscape with fewer innovative learning pathways for future generations. — Scott White, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Republican lawmakers have attempted several times to restrict the ability of undocumented immigrants from enrolling in higher education institutions in Florida, but have failed to pass legislation as recently as the 2026 legislative session. — Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 The analysis included looking at K-12 academic outcomes, school funding and resources, higher education and school safety, according to Consumer Affairs. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for higher education

Word History

First Known Use

1834, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of higher education was in 1834

Rhymes for higher education

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Browse Nearby Words

higher degree
higher education
higher functional calculus
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Cite this Entry

“Higher education.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/higher%20education. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

higher education

noun
: education provided by a college or university

More from Merriam-Webster on higher education

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for higher education

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about higher education

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