inclusion

noun

in·​clu·​sion in-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of including : the state of being included

inclusion of all expenses in the statement

2

: something that is included: such as

a

: a gaseous, liquid, or solid foreign body enclosed in a mass (as of a mineral)

b

: a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (such as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus

3

: the act or practice of including students with disabilities with the general student population

Inclusion refers to a variety of integration approaches, but the goal is to blend special education students into the traditional classroom.

—Suevon Lee

—sometimes used before a noun

an inclusion classroom/school

4

: the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)

promoting inclusion in the workplace

… academic libraries have traditionally struggled to address problems of equity, diversity and inclusion. The low representation of people of color in library staff has been a particular shortcoming, despite many initiatives to attract minority staff to the field.

—Lindsay McKenzie

Tech workers say they are more interested in diversity and are more willing to work to promote inclusion in their workplace …

—Jessica Guynn

Meaningful civic inclusion even now eludes many of our fellow citizens who are recognizably of African descent.

—Glenn C. Loury

5

mathematics : a relation between two classes (see class sense 3c) that exists when all members of the first class are also members of the second compare membership sense 3

inclusionary

in-ˈklü-zhə-ner-ē 

adjective

Examples of inclusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is despite the European version becoming a lightning rod for political tensions, with several countries planning to boycott the 70th edition in May over Israel’s inclusion. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026

Though political lyrics and statements have long been verboten, the Vienna edition is being boycotted by Slovenia, Iceland, Ireland, Spain and the Netherlands due to the inclusion of Israel in the wake of the country’s war in Gaza. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Mar. 2026

Excise Dept blend experimental electronics with South Asian identity, singing and rapping across multiple regional languages — their inclusion speaks to the label’s intention to work with artists based on the subcontinent itself, not only within the diaspora. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

This dynamic fosters a sense of inclusion that aligns with the exhibition’s central themes. —Olga Garcia-Mayoral, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin inclusion-, inclusio, from includere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inclusion

• diversity, equity and inclusion
• inclusion body

Rhymes for inclusion

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

Kids Definition

inclusion

noun

in·​clu·​sion in-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of including : the state of being included

2

: something that is included

Medical Definition

inclusion

noun

in·​clu·​sion in-ˈklü-zhən 

: something that is included

especially : a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus