diversity, equity and inclusion

noun

variants or less commonly diversity, equity, and inclusion

1

: a set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against

Through our continued focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, we are increasing the number of female attorneys, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in the leadership pipeline.

—Phillip G. Hampton, II, quoted in The Madison-St. Clair (Illinois) Record

… we strongly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion and take many steps toward promoting this through mentoring, internship programs and ensuring equity in pay and opportunity …

—Jonathan Garcia, quoted in The San Antonio (Texas) Business Journal

This means we practice diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do. It includes investing in our people and creating a culture of care.

—Lisa Toppin

—often used before another noun

Virtually every university, government agency and major corporation has embraced some type of diversity, equity and inclusion policies … to ostensibly promote a more open, equitable and, well, inclusive workplace.

—Orange County (California) Register

The legal battle comes amid a string of attacks against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in corporate America, schools and higher education in recent months.

—Niquel Terry Ellis

—abbreviation DEI

2

: the state of having a diverse group of participants as well as policies and norms that are equitable and inclusive

Whether within a company or in the community, achieving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a journey and a job that is far from done.

—David M. Velazquez and Laron Evans

—abbreviation DEI

Examples of diversity, equity and inclusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Minority and women business owners and organizations say the Trump administration’s focus on eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs will damage the economy, deliver a blow to minority communities and reveal a major lack of understanding about the major benefits of the programs. —Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025

On Saturday, hundreds of protesters also gathered nearby outside the Walmart store on Story Road to protest the company’s decision to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Kyle Martin, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025

Honorees didn’t steer away from political subjects, with Shakira dedicating her fourth career Grammy to immigrants, Lady Gaga speaking in support of the LGBTQ community and Alicia Keys addressing recent attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Sandra Gonzalez, CNN, 3 Feb. 2025

But there is no evidence that diversity efforts helped cause last Wednesday’s crash. Democrats and other Trump critics have called attempts by Trump and his allies to blame diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, efforts for the crash racist and premature. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2025

Government agency webpages about HIV, LGBTQ+ people and multiple other public health topics are down Friday evening due to President Donald Trump's executive orders aimed at gender ideology and diversity, equity and inclusion. —Selina Wang, ABC News, 1 Feb. 2025

With no evidence and with no proof, President Trump recklessly and outrageously blamed Wednesday night’s horrid mid-air collision in Washington on his all-encompassing boogeyman of diversity, equity and inclusion. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 31 Jan. 2025

His criticism of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs — including executive action to dissolve DEI efforts at the federal level — has come under scrutiny. —The Hill Staff, The Hill, 31 Jan. 2025

Target is scaling back its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, a promise that seemed important to the company headquartered where the murder of George Floyd in 2020 by a police officer set off waves of protests. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined at sense 1