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

No time is better than Black History Month to underscore that cultural significance, especially when programs promoting diversity, equity and inclusion are under attack from the Trump Administration, supporters of the center said. —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 15 Feb. 2025

Other respondents support Trump's executive orders on immigration and efforts to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. —Erin Doherty, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025

During the confirmation hearing, Murphy used his time to press McMahon on Trump’s executive order to end diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and programs. —Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 14 Feb. 2025

Additionally, the workforce has been stressed by Trump’s executive orders calling for programs relating to the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion to be shuttered, including employee support groups and seminars on topics such as women in the wildfire community. —Mark Olalde, ProPublica, 14 Feb. 2025

President Donald Trump’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion is ripping through the private sector as fear rises over losing federal contracts or facing investigations. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

Various Disney employees are reportedly voicing discontent with the company’s recent decision to seemingly capitulate to President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs (DEI). —James Factora, Them, 14 Feb. 2025

Target has received pushback after changing its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

The Republican administration previously said the sweeping funding pause would bring federal spending in line with the president’s priorities, including increasing fossil fuel production, removing protections for transgender people and ending diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined at sense 1