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 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

Stop your relentless war on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that ignore the brave and selfless past and present sacrifices of countless Americans. Donald, STOP! —Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025

Maryland’s Attorney General joins 18 state attorneys general in a lawsuit over the U.S. Department of Education’s threats to pull funding from public schools with diversity, equity and inclusion programs. —Mathew Schumer, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2025

Stern also pointed to attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and their ramifications for disabled people, women and people of color. —Lisa Hagen, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025

Rice said in the wake of his actions that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) remains under threat in the second Trump administration and serves as a barrier blocking qualified candidates from reaching high-ranking roles. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 25 Apr. 2025

Three judges ruled against a Department of Education policy that threatened to withhold federal funding unless schools banned diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

California joined several other states Friday in suing the Trump administration over its demand that public schools eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives or risk losing federal funding — expanding its defiance in a standoff with high stakes for students across the state. —Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2025

Target has logged its 11th consecutive week of falling in-store traffic, which began after the brand rolled back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 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