inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē 

1

: the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as

a

: social disparity

b

: disparity of distribution or opportunity

c

: lack of evenness

d

: the condition of being variable : changeableness

2

: an instance of being unequal

3

: a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usually separated by a sign of inequality (such as <, >, or ≠ signifying respectively is less than, is greater than, or is not equal to)

Examples of inequality in a Sentence

They discussed the problem of inequality between students.

He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices.

He has proposed a new system designed to remove inequalities in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

The laws also empower women to seek higher paying roles, helping to end a long cycle of inequality. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 19 Apr. 2024

The report cited growing wage inequality between rich and poor Americans, among other factors. —USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

This separatism perverts the mid-20th-century struggle for recognition merely to revive memories of injustice and attitudes of resentment about the inequality that has largely been overcome. —Armond White, National Review, 17 Apr. 2024

Erik Ortiz Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 17 Apr. 2024

This story about tribal colleges was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. —Matt Krupnick, The Arizona Republic, 14 Apr. 2024

The people affected by inequality must be meaningfully involved in the change process. —Colleen Murphy, Health, 13 Apr. 2024

The reaction to that video spurred outrage and eventual action by the N.C.A.A. to address some of the systemic inequalities. —Billy Witz, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024

As long as posture surveillance is believed prevent low back pain, many posture and back health wellness programs are liable to create even greater health inequalities rather than mitigate them. —Beth Linker, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inequalite, from Latin inaequalitat-, inaequalitas, from inaequalis unequal, from in- + aequalis equal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inequality

• triangle inequality

Kids Definition

inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌin-i-ˈkwäl-ət-ē 

plural inequalities

1

: the quality of being unequal

2

: an instance of being unequal (as an irregularity in a surface)

3

: a statement in mathematics or logic that two quantities usually separated by a special sign (as <, >, or ≠ respectively meaning "is less than," "is greater than," or "is not equal to") are not equal