inclusion

noun

in·​clu·​sion in-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of including : the state of being included

2

: something that is included: such as

a

: a gaseous, liquid, or solid foreign body enclosed in a mass (as of a mineral)

b

: a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (such as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus

3

: the act or practice of including students with disabilities with the general student population

Inclusion refers to a variety of integration approaches, but the goal is to blend special education students into the traditional classroom.

—Suevon Lee

—sometimes used before a noun

an inclusion classroom/school

4

: the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)

… academic libraries have traditionally struggled to address problems of equity, diversity and inclusion. The low representation of people of color in library staff has been a particular shortcoming, despite many initiatives to attract minority staff to the field.

—Lindsay McKenzie

Tech workers say they are more interested in diversity and are more willing to work to promote inclusion in their workplace …

—Jessica Guynn

Meaningful civic inclusion even now eludes many of our fellow citizens who are recognizably of African descent.

—Glenn C. Loury

5

mathematics : a relation between two classes (see class sense 3c) that exists when all members of the first class are also members of the second compare membership sense 3

inclusionary

in-ˈklü-zhə-ner-ē 

adjective

Examples of inclusion in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Wicker Man boasts a conclusion that is one of the most haunting and disturbing climaxes to a horror film in any era, but the inclusion of Lee as the wicked Lord Summerisle is a casting coup. —Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

Introducing the item at a board meeting, Staffieri said there’s a need to enhance inclusion and belonging in support of academic success, through the training, education, prevention and support services that the NCRC can provide. —Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Oct. 2025

South Carolina’s leading cities have systemically embedded diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into their master plans, sparking outcry from top officials. —Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 18 Oct. 2025

While Doncic, Reaves and Ayton had been viewed as locks for the first unit, and Hachimura was an incumbent starter from last year’s team and finished the 2023-24 season as a starter too, the inclusion of Vincent in the first unit in light of James’ absence was the biggest surprise. —Khobi Price, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin inclusion-, inclusio, from includere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inclusion

• diversity, equity, and inclusion
• inclusion body

Rhymes for inclusion

• allusion
• collusion
• conclusion
• confusion
• contusion
• delusion
• diffusion
• effusion
• exclusion
• extrusion
• illusion
• infusion

Kids Definition

inclusion

noun

in·​clu·​sion in-ˈklü-zhən 

1

: the act of including : the state of being included

2

: something that is included

Medical Definition

inclusion

noun

in·​clu·​sion in-ˈklü-zhən 

: something that is included

especially : a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus