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

In March, the University of California banned diversity statements within its hiring process as the Trump administration began to target diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives nationwide, according to previous Bee reporting. —Emma Hall, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Starbuck is a former Hollywood music video director who gained attention last year for online campaigns against some major American brands’ diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, support for gay Pride marches and LGBTQ events, efforts to slow climate change and other social policies. —Clare Duffy, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2025

The retailer has also experienced declining sales, national boycotts and lawsuits related to its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. —Sara Chernikoff, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025

The record-setting donation comes as the Trump administration has frozen or threatened to pull funding from prestigious universities around the U.S. over antisemitism allegations and opposition to the universities’ diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. —Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

This is part of the administration's efforts to counter diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 13 Aug. 2025

In June, Palm Beach County commissioners took emergency action to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from its policies. —Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025

With so much going on nationally to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion, the Rances have decided to continue centering the MVAAFF around Black joy. —Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 11 Aug. 2025

In person, Cepero said, the DOGE team focused its questions Thursday on the process of assigning contracts to vendors and efforts to achieve diversity, equity and inclusion. —Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 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