ageism

noun

age·​ism ˈā-(ˌ)ji-zəm 

variants or less commonly agism

: prejudice or discrimination against a particular age-group and especially older adults

ageist adjective

or less commonly agist

ˈā-jist 

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

But Sexistential may discomfit listeners for reasons other than ageism. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026

Before then, some Tattered Cover employees made claims of bullying and ageism, allegations that Spearman denied. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 6 Mar. 2026

In an interview with Variety on Thursday, Yeoh talked more about her decades in show business and ageism in Hollywood. —Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026

Sharon, who’s spent years waiting to be made a partner at her firm, is repeatedly sidelined by corporate ageism and sexism. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

age entry 1 + -ism (as in racism)

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ageism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

ageism

noun

age·​ism ˈā-(ˌ)jiz-əm 

: prejudice or discrimination against people of a particular age and especially against the elderly

ageist

-jist

adjective