higher education

American  

noun

1. education beyond high school, specifically that provided by colleges and graduate schools, and professional schools.

---

higher education British  

noun

1. education and training at colleges, universities, polytechnics, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of higher education

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

To quote the House of Commons Library, "overall participation in higher education increased from 3.4% in 1950, to 8.4% in 1970, 19.3% in 1990 and 33% in 2000".

From BBC • May 17, 2026

For California’s three public higher education systems, the picture was mostly status quo, with comparatively small levels of increased funding.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

That new rate, roughly one in five, is now typical across higher education.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

The civics movement in higher education is growing across the country, with more than 45 centers at 41 institutions in 25 states, according to a report by Heterodox Academy, which supports open inquiry on campus.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

When he returned home, he resumed college at Temple University and then went through its law school, with every penny of his higher education paid by that great entitlement program called the GI Bill.

From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove

Related Words

• university