Main Entry:

¹ghet·to

Pronunciation:

\ˈge-(ˌ)tō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ghettos also ghettoes

Etymology:

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

Date:

1611

1: a quarter of a city in which Jews were formerly required to live2: a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure3 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>