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

The letter is critical of diversity, equity and inclusion practices and programs, which conservatives have criticized for years. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025

Paramount has taken part in a number of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —Russell Leung,lillian Rizzo, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025

Zoom out: Without naming President Trump, Dickens clapped back at recent efforts to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Thomas Wheatley, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025

But Trump lashed out at Apple in a separate, all-caps Truth Social post on Tuesday, after the company’s shareholders voted down a proposal to end its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at its annual meeting. —Clare Duffy, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025

The heated debates around diversity, equity and inclusion are drowning out something far more important: our children’s ability to learn about and appreciate different cultures. —Britt Hogue, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2025

His administration has also threatened to withhold federal dollars from colleges that continue diversity, equity and inclusion programs or are accused of permitting antisemitism on campus. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2025

Actors Michael Urie and Lily Gladstone are opening up about how the war President Donald Trump is waging against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives might affect Hollywood. —Tiffany Taylor, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025

The legal battle against corporate diversity, equity and inclusion policies and related initiatives has escalated as the state of Florida filed a security fraud lawsuit against Target and Missouri sued Starbucks for violating federal and state civil rights laws. —Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diversity, equity and inclusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• infusion