caste

noun

\ ˈkast also ˈkäst

Definition of caste

1 : one of the hereditary social classes in Hinduism that restrict the occupation of their members and their association with the members of other castes

2a : a division of society based on differences of wealth, inherited rank or privilege, profession, occupation, or race

b : the position conferred by caste standing : prestige art and religion have lost caste— F. L. Baumer

3 : a system of rigid social stratification characterized by hereditary status, endogamy, and social barriers sanctioned by custom, law, or religion

4 : a specialized form (such as the worker of an ant or bee) of a polymorphic social insect that carries out a particular function in the colony soldier castes for fighting enemy ants

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Examples of caste in a Sentence

He was from a higher caste. a member of the upper caste

Recent Examples on the Web

The Rabari, a tribal caste of semi-nomadic cattle herders and shepherds believed to have migrated to Rajasthan from Iran via Afghanistan a thousand years ago, are devout Hindus. — National Geographic, "This Indian community welcomes leopards," 22 Mar. 2019 The questions also draw from news and current affairs, trying to gauge the candidate’s opinions on socially-divisive issues, such as caste politics or sexist religious practices. — Annalisa Merelli, Quartz at Work, "How the female CEO of an Indian startup avoids hiring sexist men," 14 June 2019 The increased efficiency of this division of labor helps us intuitively understand how the caste system of social insects, in which the queen completely takes over the egg laying and the workers handle caretaking, could have evolved. — Quanta Magazine, "How Equality and Inequality Shape the Birds and the Bees," 17 Oct. 2018 But even before Brainiac (Blake Ritson) arrived, the show felt claustrophobic, with almost all the action relegated to a few sets that primarily showed off the city’s rigid caste system. — Samantha Nelson, The Verge, "In season 2, Krypton keeps viewers guessing," 12 June 2019 San Francisco residents seem to be divided into four broad classes, or perhaps even castes: The Inner Party of venture capitalists and successful entrepreneurs who run the tech machine that is the engine of the city’s economy. — Antonio García Martínez, WIRED, "How Silicon Valley Fuels an Informal Caste System," 9 July 2018 In my work, India is a culture with a multitude of religions, castes, languages, colors, people — far bigger a melting pot than New York. — Teen Vogue, "Sachin of Sachin & Babi in Conversation with His Daughter Rhea Ahluwalia," 15 June 2018 After nine days, more foragers had died than ants of any other caste; all of the queens were still alive. — Diana Gitig, Ars Technica, "Sick ants stay away from the kids," 26 Nov. 2018 Deadly caste protests sweep across India Video provided by AFP Newslook NEW DELHI — If all goes well, Sanjay Jatav will marry Sheetal in July. — Jason Overdorf, USA TODAY, "In India, an 'Untouchables' wedding highlights tensions over social change," 22 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caste.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.