inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē 

1

: the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as

a

: social disparity

economic/racial/gender inequality

b

: disparity of distribution or opportunity

inequality of income/employment/education

c

: lack of evenness

hampered by the inequality of the ground

d

: the condition of being variable : changeableness

2

: an instance of being unequal

3

: a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usually separated by a sign of inequality (such as <, >, or ≠ signifying respectively is less than, is greater than, or is not equal to)

Examples of inequality in a Sentence

They discussed the problem of inequality between students.

He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices.

He has proposed a new system designed to remove inequalities in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

Erik Ortiz Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. —Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026

Faculty across the state have similarly warned that restrictions on the revised course — including limits on teaching that presents systemic racism, sexism or oppression as primary drivers of inequality — would strip the discipline of core concepts and distort the field. —Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

To make a meaningful difference for working-class New Yorkers, Riddell advises the state’s policymakers to address the inequality through tax increases on the wealthiest and raise revenue for critical public services. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026

Sam González Kelly is a demographics reporter for the Houston Chronicle, focusing on issues of race, class, migration and inequality in one of the fastest-growing regions of the United States. —Sam González Kelly, Houston Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inequalite, from Latin inaequalitat-, inaequalitas, from inaequalis unequal, from in- + aequalis equal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inequality

• triangle inequality

Rhymes for inequality

• causality
• equality
• frivolity
• sodality
• jollity
• polity
• quality

Kids Definition

inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌin-i-ˈkwäl-ət-ē 

plural inequalities

1

: the quality of being unequal

2

: an instance of being unequal (as an irregularity in a surface)

3

: a statement in mathematics or logic that two quantities usually separated by a special sign (as <, >, or ≠ respectively meaning "is less than," "is greater than," or "is not equal to") are not equal