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

He graduated from The College of William and Mary, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2023

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 • Jun. 14, 2023

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 • Feb. 7, 2023

Howard University is an institution of higher education, concerned with the LSAT, magna cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa.

From "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates