ageism

noun

age·​ism ˈā-(ˌ)ji-zəm How to pronounce ageism (audio)
variants or less commonly agism
: prejudice or discrimination against a particular age-group and especially older adults
ageist adjective
or less commonly agist

Examples of ageism in a Sentence

He accused his former employer of ageism when he lost his job to a younger man.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But also woven into the mystery is Sharon (a potent Halle Berry), an insurance broker who is the victim of not just sexism but ageism, too, at her workplace. Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2026 As usual, the responses are split between accusations of grooming and comments calling out misogyny and ageism. Glamour, 1 Feb. 2026 The issue of career ageism has become a structural defect in many organizations’ hiring, promotions, and terminations. Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026 And fighting ageism has become a movement. Helen Dennis, Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ageism

Word History

Etymology

age entry 1 + -ism (as in racism)

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ageism was in 1969

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ageism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ageism. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

ageism

noun
age·​ism ˈā-(ˌ)jiz-əm How to pronounce ageism (audio)
: prejudice or discrimination against people of a particular age and especially against the elderly
ageist
-jist
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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