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 legislation, if passed, could prohibit any local government from having a DEI office or dedicated diversity, equity and inclusion officer. —Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026

Under threat of losing federal funding, universities and school districts have moved to end, rename or reorganize diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

And Target has also dealt with boycotts and backlashes to the company’s political and social stances, such as its rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion pledges and its decision not to publicly oppose the surge of immigration enforcement in its hometown. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026

The White House’s Black History Month reception last year was also held in the wake of another executive order that ended the federal government’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026

Some of the administration’s attempts to cancel research grants that focused on topics like gender, diversity, equity and inclusion have been reversed, but roughly 1,240 grants remain terminated, according to a tracking project called Grant Witness. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026

The Democratic senator's remarks come as debates intensify nationally over voting access, election integrity claims and the future of diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 15 Feb. 2026

One of the nation’s premier research universities, the University of Virginia, was embroiled in a divisive struggle over diversity, equity and inclusion policies. —David Ignatius, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2026

In April 2024, the university fired dozens of staff members who formerly worked in diversity, equity and inclusion positions. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 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