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

Ngonmo said that the Afro Fashion Association has helped diversity, equity and inclusion overcome the tokenistic approach, making room for honest conversations and debates on the topic within the Italian fashion and creative industries. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025

By 2024, Kirk took aim at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. —Beatrice Peterson, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025

As of the time of writing, the company still has a website page devoted to DEI and employs a director of diversity, equity and inclusion, according to LinkedIn. —Reia Li, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 2025

Those probes were sparked by issues ranging from diversity, equity and inclusion practices to newsroom decision-making. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2025

The change ignited harsh condemnation from customers and political conservatives who alleged the change was based on diversity, equity and inclusion practices. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Sep. 2025

Some celebrations have been slimmed down or even canceled this year amid fears over immigration raids and efforts to combat diversity, equity and inclusion. —Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

In a July 29 memo, the Department of Justice gave federal funding recipients instructions on how to avoid discrimination that were primarily focused on rooting out diversity, equity and inclusion practices. —Cate Charron, IndyStar, 16 Sep. 2025

Polling has found increasing gaps between the left and right, particularly on hot-button issues such as diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, leaving even local leaders to struggle against the negative effects of polarization. —David Ingram, NBC news, 12 Sep. 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