ageism

[ey-jiz-uh m]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR ageism ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

discrimination against persons of a certain age group.

a tendency to regard older persons as debilitated, unworthy of attention, or unsuitable for employment.

Origin of ageism

1965–70; age + -ism, on the model of sexism, racism, etc.

Related formsage·ist, adjective, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ageism

Contemporary Examples of ageism

Ageism is the only “ism” that everyone (who lives) will live to suffer from.
This Just In: Seniors Screw Too!
Lenore Szuchman
August 11, 2012
Ageism and maybe some Socialism have all made their ugly cameos in election 2008.
So Long, Democrats
Wendy Button
October 28, 2008

British Dictionary definitions for ageism

ageism

agism

noun

discrimination against people on the grounds of age; specifically, discrimination against the elderly

Derived Formsageist or agist, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ageism

"discrimination against people based on age," coined 1969 by U.S. gerontologist Dr. Robert N. Butler, from age + -ism, on pattern of racism, sexism. Related: Ageist.