Phi Beta Kappa

American  

[fahy bey-tuh kap-uh, bee-tuh] / ˈfaɪ ˈbeɪ tə ˈkæp ə, ˈbi tə /

noun

1. a national honor society, founded in 1776, whose members are chosen, for lifetime membership, usually from among college undergraduates of high academic distinction.

2. a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

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Phi Beta Kappa British  

/ ˈfaɪ ˈbeɪtə ˈkæpə, ˈbiːtə /

noun

1. a national honorary society, founded in 1776, membership of which is based on high academic ability

2. a member of this society

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Etymology

Origin of Phi Beta Kappa

from the initials of the Greek motto philosophia biou kubernētēs philosophy the guide of life

Example Sentences

The film, in its first minutes, prefers the latter, opening with a rat-a-tat montage of her many successes: author, linguist, Phi Beta Kappa scholar.

From New York Times

He grew up here, was valedictorian at Jefferson High School and a Phi Beta Kappa political science student at UCLA.

From Los Angeles Times

At Columbia University, he breezed through literature studies and earned a bachelor’s degree, with a Phi Beta Kappa key, in 1952.

From New York Times

A member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, she graduated from New York University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism before deciding on a law career.

From New York Times

She became a Swiss citizen at age 14 and was a Phi Beta Kappa when she graduated from Stanford with a degree in political science.

From Seattle Times