FBS

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for FBS, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — In American college sports, the top tier of NCAA Division I football, made up of the largest programmes, whose season ends in bowl games and a national play-off.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

Football Bowl Subdivision Division I-A fasting blood sugar fasting blood glucose FPG foetal bovine serum fetal calf serum

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun American English

In American college sports, the top tier of NCAA Division I football, made up of the largest programmes, whose season ends in bowl games and a national play-off.

“The school spent a decade in the lower division before moving up to FBS in 2023.”

Football Bowl Subdivision Division I-A

Opposites

FCS

2. noun medical

A blood test that measures the amount of glucose in the blood after a person has gone without food, usually for eight to twelve hours, used to screen for and monitor diabetes.

“Her FBS came back at 128 mg/dL, so the doctor ordered a repeat test.”

fasting blood sugar fasting blood glucose FPG

3. noun technical

A nutrient-rich liquid taken from the blood of calf foetuses and added to laboratory cell cultures to help the cells grow.

“The cells were grown in medium supplemented with 10% FBS.”

foetal bovine serum fetal calf serum

How to use FBS

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

FBS team FBS level FBS test FBS result 10% FBS

Written in capitals with no full stops. Which meaning applies is almost always obvious from context: sport, a lab report, or a laboratory method.

Etymology

An initialism, standing for Football Bowl Subdivision, fasting blood sugar or fetal bovine serum depending on the field.

Full origin of FBS →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between FBS and FCS?

Both are tiers of NCAA Division I college football. FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) is the higher tier, with bigger budgets, more scholarships and a bowl-game postseason; FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) is the level below it and decides its champion through a bracketed play-off.

What is a normal FBS level?

A fasting blood sugar under 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L) is generally considered normal, 100–125 mg/dL suggests prediabetes, and 126 mg/dL or higher on two occasions usually indicates diabetes. Only a doctor can interpret your result properly.

How long do you have to fast for an FBS test?

Usually eight to twelve hours, with plain water allowed. Most people book the test first thing in the morning so the fast happens overnight.

Nearby words

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