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 incident sparked debate online about whether the captain, Commander Yvonne Gray, was hired, in part due to her gender and sexuality in accordance with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ideology. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 11 Oct. 2024

Many universities, which have often spearheaded diversity, equity and inclusion measures, have adopted land acknowledgement statements. —Melissa Santos, Axios, 11 Oct. 2024

For example, the philosophy behind some companies' steadfast support for diversity, equity and inclusion is because their product is looking for more opportunities to be distributed. —James Felton Keith, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

Issues that seem to strike a chord such as critical race theory; diversity, equity and inclusion; Title IX rules changes; gender dysphoria and use of medicines or surgeries; and student loans either don’t move the needle in the polls or simply didn’t merit being a choice from pollsters to voters. —Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Oct. 2024

Their job: find out what companies are doing about diversity, equity and inclusion and report back to Starbuck. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 2 Oct. 2024

His legislation includes proposals to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; ban gender-affirming care for minors and strip federal funding from colleges that allow protest encampments. —Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 29 Sep. 2024

As an introverted woman of color in a CEO role, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are deeply personal to me. —Roli Saxena, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined at sense 1