ethnic

play

adjective eth·nic \ˈeth-nik\

Definition of ethnic

1a : of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background ethnic minorities ethnic enclavesb : being a member of a specified ethnic group an ethnic Germanc : of, relating to, or characteristic of a minority ethnic group ethnic neighborhoods ethnic foods
2 : of or relating to the Gentiles or to nations not converted to Christianity : heathen, pagan … ancient ethnic revels of a faith long since forsaken … — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

See ethnic defined for English-language learners

Examples of ethnic in a Sentence

The U.S. has a wide variety of ethnic groups made up of immigrants or their descendants.
children who were raised in a home where there was a strong ethnic consciousness

Recent Examples of ethnic from the Web

The Home’ that took them in when no one else could Freemasonry brings together men of different religious, ethnic or social backgrounds who share a belief in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of mankind.

— kristina goetz, The Courier-Journal, "What is a Mason?," 20 July 2017
But identity politics — defined as political activity or movements inspired by cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, religious, or social interests that characterize a group identity — have always existed on college campuses.

— lincoln anthony blades, Teen Vogue, "Colleges and Universities are Becoming Less White, and Republicans Like Them Less," 20 July 2017
Studies have shown that different ethnic groups might respond differently to treatments.

— paula andalo, Kaiser Health News, "Latinos Left Out Of Clinical Trials … And Possible Cures," 19 July 2017
Universal testing has been shown to reduce racial, ethnic and income disparities.

— susan dynarski, New York Times, "How Universal College Admission Tests Help Low-Income Students," 14 July 2017
Researchers surveyed 325 adults who lived in various parts of the United States and were from different racial, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.

— maggie mallon, Glamour, "Black Girls Are Viewed As "Less Innocent" Than White Girls, According to a New Study on Racial Bias," 29 June 2017
Over the next few years the conflict raged over regional, ethnic and religious grievances.

— pat mcdonogh, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville immigrants share stories of terror, love and courage on their road to America," 29 June 2017
In cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the proportion of ethnic minorities could top 60 percent.

— dan levin, New York Times, "A Battle Over Prayer in Schools Tests Canada’s Multiculturalism," 25 June 2017
Along with words that turn voters on or off, Luntz also offered aspiring comedians some advice on ethnic and national approaches to humor.

— glenn garvin, miamiherald, "Mayors get tips on where to find money for policies — and how to sell them to voters," 25 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ethnic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ethnic

Middle English, from Late Latin ethnicus, from Greek ethnikos national, gentile, from ethnos nation, people; akin to Greek ēthos custom — more at sib

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1542

See Words from the same year

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

ethnic

noun eth·nic

Definition of ethnic

chiefly US

: a member of an ethnic group; especially : a member of a minority group who retains the customs, language, or social views of the group

See ethnic defined for English-language learners

See ethnic defined for kids

First Known Use of ethnic

1941

Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

ETHNIC Defined for English Language Learners

ethnic

play

adjective

Definition of ethnic for English Language Learners

: of or relating to races or large groups of people who have the same customs, religion, origin, etc.
: associated with or belonging to a particular race or group of people who have a culture that is different from the main culture of a country