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

An Ohio law introduced this year bans diversity, equity and inclusion programs from the state's colleges and universities. —Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Oct. 2025

The event is part of Sacramento County’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative. —Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025

The delay follows a month of deliberations after the city council suspended the ordinance to amend it to remove diversity, equity and inclusion language. —Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2025

Many Democrats view his legacy through a different lens, as Kirk frequently spoke out against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, gun control measures, feminism and the Islamic faith. —Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025

Federal workforce reductions and rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have only intensified these trends, highlighting systemic barriers that disproportionately affect Black women in the labor market. —Essence, 10 Oct. 2025

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce is updating its diversity, equity and inclusion program. —Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 10 Oct. 2025

This year, candidates and political groups are talking about how the Trump administration has repeatedly threatened to pull federal funding from K-12 school systems for diversity, equity and inclusion policies that the government calls discriminatory. —Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2025

The Trump administration has sought major changes to higher education institutions across the country, with efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs, prohibit transgender athletes from female sports, stifle pro-Palestine student protests and slash millions in research funding. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 3 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