ethnicity

noun

eth·​nic·​i·​ty eth-ˈni-sə-tē How to pronounce ethnicity (audio)
plural ethnicities
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.
They are shared regardless of income or education level, race or ethnicity. Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025 Race and ethnicity: Prostate cancer affects more people who are Black than White, Latino, Hispanic, or Asian American. Carrie Madormo, Health, 6 July 2025 In Gaston and Iredell counties, the Hispanic-only population outpaced topped all other races or ethnicities, growing by 32.5% and 31.4% respectively, across the four-year span. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2025 Additionally, the study included older, mostly Caucasian Australian women, so findings may not apply to men, younger people, or other ethnicities. New Atlas, 26 June 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 15 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ethnicity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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