diversity
noun
di·ver·si·ty
də-ˈvər-sə-tē 
dī-
plural diversities
1
a
: the quality or condition of having or being composed of differing elements (such as forms, types, or ideas) : variety sense 1
linguistic diversity
an island with great diversity in plant life
There's a diversity of opinion on the matter.
b
: a group or collection of differing elements : variety sense 2
She has a diversity of interests.
saw a diversity of shorebirds at the park
2
: the state or practice of including people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a), cultures, etc. in a group or organization
promoting diversity in the workplace
—often used before another noundiversity programs/efforts
a diversity committee
see also diversity, equity and inclusion
Examples of diversity in a Sentence
Another factor in Burns' rise has been the strength and depth of Xerox's commitment to diversity. One-third of Xerox's 3,819 executives are women and 22% are minorities.
—
Nanette Byrnes et al., Business Week, 8 June 2009
Jim, a lanky, bearded 35-year-old, knows a lot about heirloom fruits and vegetables. He works with the Southern Seed Legacy in Athens, Georgia, an organization devoted to preserving the seeds of heirloom plants in order to restore some of the genetic diversity that industrial agriculture has eroded over the years.
—Gary Paul Nabhan, Saveur, October 2009
Even more eccentric is the treatment of the British Empire. Stretching over three centuries and six continents, you might have expected that its extent, duration, and diversity would have made it immune to facile interpretation.
—David Gilmour, New York Review, 2 Nov. 2006
The media flood the nation's editorial markets with testimonies to the piebald character of the American democracy jumbled together from a wonderful diversity of colors, creeds, and cultural dispensations, which is a swell story, but in the United States Senate not one visible to the naked eye.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 2005
The handsome creatures have hooked the interest of evolutionists and ecologists because of their dazzling diversity of shapes, behaviors, and feeding habits, which include nibbling the fins and scales of other fish.
—Science, 26 Nov. 2004
The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.
The city is known for its cultural diversity.
The school aims for diversity in its student population.
Nanette Byrnes et al., Business Week, 8 June 2009
Jim, a lanky, bearded 35-year-old, knows a lot about heirloom fruits and vegetables. He works with the Southern Seed Legacy in Athens, Georgia, an organization devoted to preserving the seeds of heirloom plants in order to restore some of the genetic diversity that industrial agriculture has eroded over the years.
—Gary Paul Nabhan, Saveur, October 2009
Even more eccentric is the treatment of the British Empire. Stretching over three centuries and six continents, you might have expected that its extent, duration, and diversity would have made it immune to facile interpretation.
—David Gilmour, New York Review, 2 Nov. 2006
The media flood the nation's editorial markets with testimonies to the piebald character of the American democracy jumbled together from a wonderful diversity of colors, creeds, and cultural dispensations, which is a swell story, but in the United States Senate not one visible to the naked eye.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 2005
The handsome creatures have hooked the interest of evolutionists and ecologists because of their dazzling diversity of shapes, behaviors, and feeding habits, which include nibbling the fins and scales of other fish.
—Science, 26 Nov. 2004
The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.
The city is known for its cultural diversity.
The school aims for diversity in its student population.
Recent Examples on the Web
Black Christmas characters are rare, but that’s changing due to a recent push for diversity in the Santa industry.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Lemon seeds contain a great deal of genetic diversity and will produce a plant that is different from its parent.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
The act of painting the steps was, to me, a vibrant protest to orders attempting to silence the diversity and flamboyance of Oak Lawn.
—Meredith Nierman, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
As frustrating as that is, the lack of forward momentum in the fight for body diversity and autonomy doesn’t mean the end of body positivity in all its forms.
—Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diversity
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Dec. 2025
Lemon seeds contain a great deal of genetic diversity and will produce a plant that is different from its parent.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2025
The act of painting the steps was, to me, a vibrant protest to orders attempting to silence the diversity and flamboyance of Oak Lawn.
—Meredith Nierman, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025
As frustrating as that is, the lack of forward momentum in the fight for body diversity and autonomy doesn’t mean the end of body positivity in all its forms.
—Michelle Konstantinovsky, Glamour, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for diversity
Cite this Entry
“Diversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity. Accessed 28 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diversity
noun
di·ver·si·ty
də-ˈvər-sət-ē
dī-
plural diversities
1
: the condition of being different
2
: an instance or a point of difference
Legal Definition
diversity
noun
di·ver·si·ty
də-ˈvər-sə-tē, dī-
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