discriminate

verb dis·crim·i·nate \ dis-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of discriminate

discriminated; discriminating

transitive verb

1 a : to mark or perceive the distinguishing or peculiar features of

Depth perception may be defined as the ability to appreciate or discriminate the third dimension …
—H. G. Armstrong

b : distinguish, differentiate

discriminate hundreds of colors

2 : to distinguish by discerning or exposing differences : to recognize or identify as separate and distinct

discriminate right from wrong

; especially : to distinguish from another like object

discriminate the individual voices in the choir

intransitive verb

1 a : to make a distinction

discriminate among historical sources

discriminates between literary fiction and popular fiction

b : to use good judgment

2 : to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit

discriminate in favor of your friends

discriminate against a certain nationality

See discriminate defined for English-language learners

See discriminate defined for kids

discriminate was our Word of the Day on 11/04/2011. Hear the podcast!

Examples of discriminate in a Sentence

The school is not allowed to discriminate.
the human eye can discriminate between very slight gradations of color

Recent Examples of discriminate from the Web

That suit alleges Harvard intentionally discriminates against Asian-Americans by limiting the number of Asian students who are admitted.

— melissa korn, WSJ, "Justice Department Probes Colleges’ Early-Decision Admission Practices," 7 Apr. 2018
In a subsequent suit against Google, Damore alleged that the company discriminates against white conservative men.

— mike snider, USA TODAY, "Google workers want work ended on Defense Dept. drone project," 5 Apr. 2018
Bailey has since filed a complaint against the New Orleans Saints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on the grounds that she was discriminated against because of her gender.

— araceli cruz, Teen Vogue, "NFL Cheerleaders Take Action Against Rule Books That Dictate Their Behavior," 4 Apr. 2018
Back in 2016, press reports revealed that advertisers could use so-called ‘ethnic affinity’ marketing categories to potentially discriminate against people in the areas of housing, employment, and credit.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "What Congress Should Ask Mark Zuckerberg," 28 Mar. 2018
In January 2017, Wells Fargo settled a $35.5 million class action lawsuit alleging that the bank discriminated against African-American financial advisers.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Anti-Fascists Out Wells Fargo Mortgage Consultant as Tiki-Torch-Toting White Supremacist," 20 Mar. 2018
Buy Photo City Council will investigate contracting policies at the Department of Human Services after an Inquirer and Daily News report found that two agencies funded by the city discriminate against LGBTQ people for religious reasons.

— julia terruso, Philly.com, "City Council to probe DHS after LGBTQ discrimination at foster agency," 15 Mar. 2018
The lawsuit alleges that the scarcity of early-voting locations in Marion County discriminates against African-American voters and violates the Constitution.

— fatima hussein, Indianapolis Star, "Lawsuit urges federal judge to add more early-voting sites in Marion County," 9 Mar. 2018
For example, while there are federal laws prohibiting health insurers and employers from discriminating based on genetic testing, that’s not the case with life or disability insurance, for example.

— carolyn l. todd, SELF, "Why the Jonas Brothers Will All Have Early Screening for Colorectal Cancer," 28 Feb. 2018

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

Did You Know?

Although many methods or motives for discriminating are unfair and undesirable (or even illegal), the verb itself has a neutral history. English speakers borrowed it from the past participle of the Latin verb discriminare, itself from the verb discernere, meaning "to distinguish between." "Discernere," in turn, was formed by combining the prefix dis- and cernere ("to sift"). Other descendants of "discernere" include "discern" and "discernible" (as you no doubt guessed), "discreet," and "indiscretion." In addition, the root "cernere" gives us "concern," "certain," "decree," and even "secret."

Origin and Etymology of discriminate

Latin discriminatus, past participle of discriminare, from discrimin-, discrimen distinction, from discernere to distinguish between — more at discern

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1615

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

discriminate Synonyms

DISCRIMINATE Defined for English Language Learners

discriminate

verb

Definition of discriminate for English Language Learners

: to unfairly treat a person or group of people differently from other people or groups
: to notice and understand that one thing is different from another thing : to recognize a difference between things

DISCRIMINATE Defined for Kids

discriminate

verb dis·crim·i·nate \ di-ˈskri-mə-ˌnāt \

Definition of discriminate for Students

discriminated; discriminating

1 : to unfairly treat a person or group differently from other people or groups

It is against the law to discriminate on the basis of race.

2 : to be able to tell the difference between things

He can discriminate among the birds by their calls.

Medical Dictionary

discriminate

verb dis·crim·i·nate \ dis-ˈkrim-ə-ˌnāt \

medical Definition of discriminate

discriminated; discriminating

transitive verb

: to respond selectively to (a stimulus)

intransitive verb

: to respond selectively

the capacity of organisms to discriminate
—J. A. Swets

Law Dictionary

discriminate

intransitive verb dis·crim·i·nate \ dis-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt \

legal Definition of discriminate

discriminated; discriminating

: to make a difference in treatment or favor on a basis other than individual merit; especially : to make a difference in treatment on a basis prohibited by law (as national origin, race, sex, religion, age, or disability) — see also bona fide occupational qualification, equal protection, reverse discrimination, suspect class, Civil Rights Act of 1964

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