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

Trump’s executive order directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to review ISS and Glass Lewis specifically scrutinizing their use of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social and governance policies (ESG). —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

Trump has made rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion a key priority of his second administration. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

The City Council, which voted 5-4 to remove LGBTQ+ protections, first decided to temporarily suspend the anti-discrimination ordinance in August until city staffers could create amendments that removed diversity, equity and inclusion language to comply with federal orders. —Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Dec. 2025

One month after the release of the student-run magazine, Nineteen Fifty-Six, the University of Alabama (UA) permanently cuts its funding, suspending the magazine and claiming its mission to amplify Black voices violates federal guidelines on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. —Tevon Blair, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025

Dallas City Councilman Jaime Resendez and others on Wednesday, spoke against federal orders to end DEI municipal outreach efforts with diversity, equity and inclusion projects. —Steve Pickett, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025

The Arizona State Board of Education has approved revising teaching standards to remove diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) principles. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 9 Dec. 2025

More recently, as Skydance sought approval for its purchase of Paramount, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr cited the public interest standard in claiming the need for changes at CBS News and to the diversity, equity and inclusion policies. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 5 Dec. 2025

Some Black people are bypassing big-box stores altogether in the wake of protests of Target, Walmart, and other stores who’ve abandoned their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. —Miami Herald, 4 Dec. 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