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 freeze added to similar actions the administration has taken against other elite universities, either demanding changes to their diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or in connection with their handling of protests against the war in Gaza. —Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025

As some institutions roll back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Johnson stressed all are welcome at these institutions. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2025

New data highlights the risk to talent acquisition that companies may face by retreating from diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. —Michelle Travis, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The Arlington City Council followed in the footsteps of Fort Worth on Tuesday night and began the process of scrubbing diversity, equity and inclusion from the municipal code. —Rachel Royster september 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2025

Brown said the sponsorships are a clear acknowledgment of the value of HBCUs and their alumni during a time when many companies are ending their diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Frank Holland, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025

Like many other letters sent to Florida counties, Manatee County’s also requested information about funds spent on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and environmental initiatives. —Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

The manager of multicultural services became the manager of community impact, and the vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion became vice president of student engagement and community impact, according to the college. —Cleo Krejci, jsonline.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, colleges nationwide are eliminating any remaining vestiges of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and shuttering multicultural centers lest the government come after them. —Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 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