diversity, equity and inclusion

noun

variants or less commonly diversity, equity, and inclusion

1

: a set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against

Through our continued focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, we are increasing the number of female attorneys, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in the leadership pipeline.

—Phillip G. Hampton, II, quoted in The Madison-St. Clair (Illinois) Record

… we strongly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion and take many steps toward promoting this through mentoring, internship programs and ensuring equity in pay and opportunity …

—Jonathan Garcia, quoted in The San Antonio (Texas) Business Journal

This means we practice diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do. It includes investing in our people and creating a culture of care.

—Lisa Toppin

—often used before another noun

Virtually every university, government agency and major corporation has embraced some type of diversity, equity and inclusion policies … to ostensibly promote a more open, equitable and, well, inclusive workplace.

—Orange County (California) Register

The legal battle comes amid a string of attacks against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in corporate America, schools and higher education in recent months.

—Niquel Terry Ellis

—abbreviation DEI

2

: the state of having a diverse group of participants as well as policies and norms that are equitable and inclusive

Whether within a company or in the community, achieving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a journey and a job that is far from done.

—David M. Velazquez and Laron Evans

—abbreviation DEI

Examples of diversity, equity and inclusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The opposite of diversity, equity and inclusion is conformity, inequality and exclusion. —Arkansas Online, 22 Jan. 2026

Trump administration abandons its appeal of ruling that blocked a campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools and colleges, threatening federal funding to institutions. —Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

And while it was not explicitly stated in the formal notifications, researchers say studies that dealt with diversity, equity and inclusion were particularly targeted. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2026

On its first day in office, announced the end of all federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, including diversity officers, equity plans and related grants and contracts. —Spencer Overton, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2026

That includes the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and some provisions of SB 37, including those related to the general education curriculum review and faculty senates. —Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026

McMahon and the department have framed this as a course correction in line with efforts to be more efficient and curb diversity, equity and inclusion policies from prior administrations. —Nadia Sussman, ProPublica, 9 Jan. 2026

Shortly after he was sworn in earlier this year, Braun issued an executive order to close the state’s diversity, equity and inclusion office. —Claire Rafford, IndyStar, 6 Jan. 2026

In the days that followed the launch, the nationwide restaurant chain and country store faced a wave of backlash with some conservatives implying that the change may have been motivated by diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2001, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diversity, equity and inclusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• infusion