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

Don’t Democrats claim to believe in, among so many other wonderful things, diversity, equity and inclusion? —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

The university agreed to use a memo by the Department of Justice that orders colleges to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion programs as a training resource for faculty and staff. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Nov. 2025

Opponents of the compact rules criticize anti-transgender language and measures that would further threaten diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Nov. 2025

The Enquirer sent questionnaires to candidates running in seven local school board races on a range of topics, from budget issues to national hot topics like policies related to transgender students and opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion programming. —Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Nov. 2025

Some employees have faced disarray in recent years stemming from a lack of clarity around corporate matters including Target’s stance on diversity, equity and inclusion policies. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025

Johnson told the Journal Sentinel her comments were directed at the school district's diversity, equity and inclusion policies, not MacCudden. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Shares of Target have tumbled about 35% in the last year, as its own merchandising issues, a sloppier store experience and boycotts over its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion programs all weigh on its business. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025

But new data shows that the diversity, equity and inclusion backlash is shifting boardroom demographics once again, eroding gains made by women and people of color as corporations hire White men at the fastest clip in years. —Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 23 Oct. 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