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's efforts have resulted in colleges nationwide, including Columbia University and the University of Michigan dramatically scaling back their diversity, equity and inclusion messaging and programs. —June 27, CBS News, 27 June 2025

The cuts resulted from risk assessment by corporations responding to political pressure after the Trump administration halted federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

Since taking office in January, the Trump administration has sought to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the federal government, corporate America and college campuses. —Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN Money, 24 June 2025

In his second term, Trump has attacked diversity, equity and inclusion programs, signing an executive order to end policies across the federal government. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 June 2025

Once the Trump administration started signing executive orders demanding the end of diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the government, the White House also urged private companies to abandon such outreach. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 18 June 2025

The coalition cites President Trump’s executive orders to curb federal funding on certain diversity, equity and inclusion programs as harming the operations of grant recipients, especially in relation to vulnerable populations. —Molly Gibbs, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2025

The new lawsuit alleges the government has continued to implement diversity, equity and inclusion programs that were instituted under former President Biden. —Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025

The new lawsuit alleges the government has continued to implement diversity, equity and inclusion programs that were instituted under former President Joe Biden. —Scott Bauer, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 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