ethnicity

noun

eth·​nic·​i·​ty eth-ˈni-sə-tē How to pronounce ethnicity (audio)
plural ethnicities
Synonyms of ethnicitynext
1
: ethnic quality or affiliation
aspects of ethnicity
2
: a particular ethnic affiliation or group
students of diverse ethnicities

Examples of ethnicity in a Sentence

a university with a student body of diverse ethnicities
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, diversity varies from state to state and can be defined as something that goes beyond race, gender, or ethnicity. Paula Soria, AZCentral.com, 16 Dec. 2025 Of course, because humans travel anywhere and everywhere, there are definitely Western writers who have told stories about various ethnicities, set in diverse locations, who have done phenomenally well with the telling. Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025 Today, Syria is finally back to its people regardless of faith or ethnicity. Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025 This is not about religion, ethnicity, or nationality. Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ethnicity

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethnicity was in 1920

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ethnicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnicity. Accessed 20 Dec. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ethnicity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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