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caste system

American  
[kast sis-tuhm, kahst] / ˈkæst ˌsɪs təm, ˈkɑst /

noun

  • caste systems
    plural
  1. the rigid Hindu system of hereditary social distinctions based on castes.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of caste system

First recorded in 1810–20

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.

See Examples For:

But the caste system is very deeply rooted, said Gidion Mbilijora, who was the "bupati" or head of the East Sumba district for 13 years, and who owns two atas himself.

From Barron's Jul. 21, 2026

India also has a large number of “tribals,” who are outside the caste system but part of the quota system.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 15, 2026

White working-class and precarious middle-class voters were alarmed not only at the upending of the racial caste system but also at what they saw as an unraveling of society in general.

From Salon May 6, 2026

Food and food habits are sensitive subjects in culturally-diverse India as they are deeply intertwined with religion and the country's hierarchical caste system.

From BBC Oct. 27, 2024

Conferences, strategy sessions, and debates regarding how best to build a movement to dismantle the new caste system would be occurring on a regular basis.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

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