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 application for 2026, however, included new language that explicitly banned any diversity, equity and inclusion efforts — which most major museums have worked to emphasize in recent years. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

Soon, Florida cities and counties will be banned from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and enacting net-zero policies that cut down on greenhouse gases. —Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026

Soon Florida cities and counties will be banned from funding or promoting diversity, equity and inclusion programs and enacting net-zero policies that cut down on greenhouse gases. —Ana Goñi-Lessan, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

During his one debate with Kaine, Cao criticized COVID-19 vaccine mandates for service members as well as the military’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026

The retailer faced recent backlash for its rollbacks of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

After receiving a Department of Justice memo in July on its interpretation of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, Choi said the university consulted with external legal advice on how to comply with the federal government. —Jack Harvel april 15, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2026

Your tenure at Juilliard centered on diversity, equity and inclusion. —Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026

This is true even as schools cut diversity, equity and inclusion programs and as some students experience heightened surveillance, visa cancellations, detention or deportation. —Anindya Kundu, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2026

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