name
Common
Harvard
HAHR-vuhrd
Harvard (name) means a surname and place name, best known as the name of Harvard University in Massachusetts, the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Example: “She was accepted to Harvard in the fall.”
name
1
A surname and place name, best known as the name of Harvard University in Massachusetts, the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
"She was accepted to Harvard in the fall."
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She was accepted to _____ in the fall.
Etymology
Named after John Harvard, an English clergyman whose bequest helped found the college in 1638.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Harvard” mean?
The word “Harvard” means a surname and place name, best known as the name of Harvard University in Massachusetts, the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
How do you pronounce “Harvard”?
“Harvard” is pronounced HAHR-vuhrd (/ˈhɑɹvəɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “Harvard” in a sentence?
Here is “Harvard” used in a sentence: “She was accepted to Harvard in the fall.”
What part of speech is “Harvard”?
“Harvard” is a name.
Where does the word “Harvard” come from?
The word “Harvard” dates back to around 1638. Named after John Harvard, an English clergyman whose bequest helped found the college in 1638.
Is “Harvard” a common word?
“Harvard” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Should "Harvard" always be capitalized?
Yes. Harvard is a proper noun in every use, whether it names Harvard University, a surname, or a place. It is always written with a capital H and is never lowercased in standard English.
Is Harvard the oldest university in the United States?
Harvard University is regarded as the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. It is located in the state of Massachusetts.
What is the difference between "Harvard" as a name and "Harvard University"?
Harvard on its own is a surname and place name, while Harvard University is the specific educational institution in Massachusetts that carries the name. In everyday use, the university is by far the most familiar sense of the word.
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