ageism
Americannoun
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discrimination against persons of a certain age group.
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a tendency to regard older persons as debilitated, unworthy of attention, or unsuitable for employment.
noun
Usage
What is ageism? Ageism is treating people of a certain age group negatively solely because of their age, as in Thinking that all teenagers are irresponsible is ageism. Ageism is any form of discrimination against people because of their age. Most often, ageism is targeted toward older people, such as thinking that elderly people are helpless because of their advanced age. However, any age group can be discriminated against. For example, thinking that someone in their 20s is too young to be a manager is ageism. So is thinking that teenagers are irresponsible. Example: When you don’t get hired for a position you’re qualified for just because you’re older, that sounds like ageism.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ageism
First recorded in 1965–70; age + -ism, on the model of sexism, racism, etc.
Explanation
Ageism is discriminating against someone because of how old they are. Forcing a worker to retire because they've just turned 65 is an example of ageism. Ageism, like other forms of discrimination, can take many forms. Some of these are illegal, like denying someone an apartment or a job because of their age. A boss who chooses a younger worker for a project instead of an older, more experienced employee may be guilty of ageism. Other forms of this prejudice are more subtle, like patronizing elderly people by treating them like children, or calling them "sweetheart." Ageism was coined in 1969, modeled on racism.
Vocabulary lists containing ageism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I'm not saying this is just a women's issue; I've had messages from men too. My point is about gendered ageism."
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
A menopause reckoning requires a range of perspectives, a spectrum of platforms, and, perhaps most important, a willingness to be uncomfortable — both with practical details and with the indictment of institutional sexism and ageism.
From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2026
“For older workers, ageism might make it difficult to find a new job. It’s important to have a financial buffer to justify taking this offer.”
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 23, 2026
In the case of older women, ageism and misogyny sometimes coalesce.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
In June, he was hired as executive director of a U.S.-based nonprofit, Old School Hub, that works to combat ageism around the world.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2025
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
