ghetto

¹ghet·to

noun \ˈge-(ˌ)tō\

plural ghettos also ghettoes

Definition of GHETTO

1

: a quarter of a city in which Jews were formerly required to live

2

: a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure

3

a : an isolated group <a geriatric ghetto> b : a situation that resembles a ghetto especially in conferring inferior status or limiting opportunity <the pink-collar ghetto>

Examples of GHETTO

1. He grew up in the ghetto.

Origin of GHETTO

Italian, from Venetian dialect ghèto island where Jews were forced to live, literally, foundry (located on the island), from ghetàr to cast, from Latin jactare to throw — more at jet

First Known Use: 1611