noun

FBS

ef-bee-ES

FBS (noun) means 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. Example: “The school spent a decade in the lower division before moving up to FBS in 2023.”

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."

"All 134 FBS teams are eligible for a bowl invitation if they win six games."

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."

"Do not eat or drink anything but water before your FBS in the morning."

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."

How to use FBS

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFBS is short for a few different things — the top level of American college football, a fasting blood sugar test, or a lab growth serum.

When to use it

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

Memory tip

If you see FBS on a medical form it is your fasting blood sugar; if you see it on a sports page it is the college football division.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

FCS FPG HbA1c

Common pairings

FBS team FBS level FBS test FBS result 10% FBS

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The school spent a decade in the lower division before moving up to _____ in 2023.

Etymology

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

Origin: English

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

FCS

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.

What is the meaning of FBS?

"FBS" (noun) means 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.