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

Last year, the White House accused Harvard University of allowing antisemitism to go unchecked on campus and of not ending diversity, equity and inclusion practices. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026

French, the former chair of the Tarrant County Republican Party, has run his campaign on limiting regulations, ending the Islamic invasion of Texas and removing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the railroad commission. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Mar. 2026

Uthmeier’s letter comes in the aftermath of a push against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at both the state and federal level. —Nicolas Villamil, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026

Earlier this month, Atlanta area pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant announced the end of a yearlong boycott of the company, called Target Fast, which had started because of the company’s rollback of major diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. —Melissa Repko, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026

But a sweeping new state law, SB 12, that banned diversity, equity and inclusion activity in K-12 schools, such as referencing LGBTQ identities in conversations, had just kicked in. —Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

Planned Parenthood of Illinois has agreed to pay $500,000 to end a government investigation into charges of discrimination tied to the organization's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —Andrea Hsu, NPR, 19 Mar. 2026

The bar reopened in January 2023 following an equity audit, and emphasized a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, reports noted. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

Among them were a requirement to teach embryology, authorization for the education commissioner to remove textbooks from circulation, and a prohibition against public schools using any funds for programs, goods and services that support diversity, equity and inclusion. —Jeffrey S. Solochek, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 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