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 administration’s opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives was repeatedly mentioned by participants as a cause for a more hostile environment for Black women to find employment, customers or government contracting. —Matt Brown, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025

Other groups have had intense discussions about whether to apply for federal grants that would require them not to use certain words or phrases — like DEI, or diversity, equity and inclusion — or otherwise do things that undercut the groups’ missions. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2025

Northwestern Mutual calls claim ' an unwarranted overreach' Northwestern Mutual is facing pressure from the federal government over the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies. —Ricardo Torres, jsonline.com, 21 Nov. 2025

But since 2024, Black student unions have lost their institutional support, campus space and funding with the rise of anti-diversity, equity and inclusion laws in Utah and Alabama. —Antar A. Tichavakunda, The Conversation, 18 Nov. 2025

Target is also contending with two consecutive quarters of slumping foot traffic, partly because of backlash over its reversal on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 17 Nov. 2025

Among the retailers Canvas sold at in its first life are those — namely Target and Walmart — which have rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives over the last year. —Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025

Her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is in her DNA. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025

The university also reaffirmed its commitment to train its staff on a Justice Department memo that instructs universities to disavow diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Nov. 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