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 Trump administration is threatening billions of dollars in federal funding to elite universities over their policies on diversity, equity and inclusion. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 May 2025

In resistance to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the Trump administration has targeted programs and notably deleted thousands of pages on government websites highlighting the service of women, LGBTQ+ people and those of color. —Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025

About two weeks later, the Army and Air Force libraries were told to go through their stacks to find books related to diversity, equity and inclusion. —Lolita C. Baldor, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025

The milestone also comes as political and legal attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are intensifying. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

The ruling has nonetheless been a point of contention in the debate over diversity, equity and inclusion. —Jimmy Aguilar, The Conversation, 8 May 2025

The Trump administration took away the funding after the college refused to cave to its demands to change its admission and hiring practices, along with eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 5 May 2025

Recasting diversity, equity and inclusion Harvard this week changed the name of its Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging to Community and Campus Life, its lead officer, Sherri Ann Charleston, announced in an email to the campus community. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 1 May 2025

The national campaign comes in the wake of several executive orders from President Donald Trump, including one to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion across federal agencies. —Deborah Barfield Berry, USA Today, 29 Apr. 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