sexism

American  

[sek-siz-uhm] / ˈsɛk sɪz əm /

noun

1. attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of gender roles: Her husband saw their home life through a lens of sexism, and never once offered to help with the housework or the kids.

   the underlying sexism in the marketing of dolls to girls and trucks to boys;

   Her husband saw their home life through a lens of sexism, and never once offered to help with the housework or the kids.

2. discrimination or devaluation based on a person's sex or gender, as in restricted job opportunities, especially such discrimination directed against women.

   The investigation found that women face a culture of hostility and sexism.

3. ingrained and institutionalized prejudice against women.

   The idea that women are inferior to men is sexism at its purest.

4. hatred, dislike, or mistrust of women; misogyny.

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sexism British  

/ ˈsɛksɪzəm /

noun

1. discrimination on the basis of sex, esp the oppression of women by men

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sexism ¹ Cultural  

1. The belief that one sex (usually the male) is naturally superior to the other and should dominate most important areas of political, economic, and social life. Sexist discrimination in the United States in the past has denied opportunities to women in many spheres of activity. Many allege that it still does. (See also affirmative action, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, glass ceiling, and National Organization for Women.)

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sexism ² Cultural  

1. The belief that one sex (usually the male) is naturally superior to the other and should dominate most important areas of political, economic, and social life.

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Other Word Forms

• antisexism noun
• sexist noun

Etymology

Origin of sexism

First recorded in 1965–70; sex ¹ ( def. ) + -ism, on the model of racism

Example Sentences

The uphill nature of Lloyd’s battle to stamp out sexism and racism reflects endemic issues in the wider insurance world, according to people close to Lloyd’s.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even as she changed our understanding of the natural world, Dr Goodall faced cynicism and sexism.

From BBC

Police Scotland said it was taking action to deliver meaningful cultural change in the service, including to tackle sexism and misogyny.

From BBC

Mirren has previously been quoted saying that the concept of James Bond was "born out of profound sexism", and that women have always been an "incredibly important part" of the Secret Service.

From BBC

Social media and the ubiquity of smartphones have allowed citizens to expose instances of genuine, and often institutionalized, racism, sexism, homophobia and consumer exploitation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bias
• bigotry
• chauvinism
• inequality
• inequity
• prejudice