diversity, equity and inclusion
noun
variants
or less commonly diversity, equity, and inclusion
1
: a set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against
Through our continued focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, we are increasing the number of female attorneys, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in the leadership pipeline.—
Phillip G. Hampton, II, quoted in The Madison-St. Clair (Illinois) Record
Phillip G. Hampton, II, quoted in The Madison-St. Clair (Illinois) Record… we strongly believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion and take many steps toward promoting this through mentoring, internship programs and ensuring equity in pay and opportunity …—Jonathan Garcia, quoted in The San Antonio (Texas) Business Journal
Jonathan Garcia, quoted in The San Antonio (Texas) Business JournalThis means we practice diversity, equity and inclusion in all we do. It includes investing in our people and creating a culture of care.—Lisa Toppin
—often used before another nounLisa ToppinVirtually every university, government agency and major corporation has embraced some type of diversity, equity and inclusion policies … to ostensibly promote a more open, equitable and, well, inclusive workplace.—Orange County (California) Register
Orange County (California) RegisterThe legal battle comes amid a string of attacks against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in corporate America, schools and higher education in recent months.—Niquel Terry Ellis
—abbreviation DEI
Niquel Terry Ellis2
: the state of having a diverse group of participants as well as policies and norms that are equitable and inclusive
Whether within a company or in the community, achieving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a journey and a job that is far from done.—David M. Velazquez and Laron Evans
—abbreviation DEI
David M. Velazquez and Laron EvansExamples of diversity, equity and inclusion in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With these top-down changes, some organizations are scrambling for ways to preserve the employee engagement and business advantages that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs offered.
—Abakar Saidov, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Jones said the political pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion trickles down into Pride celebrations.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Over more than three hours at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, the 17-member board scrutinized Ono’s record on nearly every hot-button issue in higher education: diversity, equity and inclusion programs, campus antisemitism, and the role of politics in curricula.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Another order ended affirmative action in federal contracting and directed layoffs for federal diversity, equity and inclusion staffers.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Disney, Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery and other major media and entertainment companies have been rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion language and programs amid the Trump administration’s war on DEI policies.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Harvard has refused to change its hiring and admissions policies or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the demand of the administration, and has seen billions of dollars in funding frozen and multiple federal agency investigations launched against it.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 29 May 2025
Facing growing conservative pushback, Ono distanced himself from earlier remarks on climate change and initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, during an interview with UF’s board of trustees on Tuesday.
—Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
That’s on top of the $2.65 billion already cut from Harvard after the administration demanded the school change its hiring and admission requirements, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and alter rules for on-campus protests.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
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Abakar Saidov, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Jones said the political pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion trickles down into Pride celebrations.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 3 June 2025
Over more than three hours at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, the 17-member board scrutinized Ono’s record on nearly every hot-button issue in higher education: diversity, equity and inclusion programs, campus antisemitism, and the role of politics in curricula.
—Garrett Shanley, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Another order ended affirmative action in federal contracting and directed layoffs for federal diversity, equity and inclusion staffers.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
Disney, Amazon, Warner Bros. Discovery and other major media and entertainment companies have been rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion language and programs amid the Trump administration’s war on DEI policies.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Harvard has refused to change its hiring and admissions policies or eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the demand of the administration, and has seen billions of dollars in funding frozen and multiple federal agency investigations launched against it.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 29 May 2025
Facing growing conservative pushback, Ono distanced himself from earlier remarks on climate change and initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, during an interview with UF’s board of trustees on Tuesday.
—Ian Hodgson, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
That’s on top of the $2.65 billion already cut from Harvard after the administration demanded the school change its hiring and admission requirements, eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs and alter rules for on-campus protests.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diversity, equity and inclusion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity%2C%20equity%20and%20inclusion. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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