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caste system

American

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

noun

the rigid Hindu system of hereditary social distinctions based on castes.

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.

Hollywood, after all, has its own hierarchies — its own caste system, if you will.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2024

Arulmozhi, who is still an atheist and a feminist, says feminism and fighting inequities perpetrated by the caste system have been central to Periyar’s movement, which continues today.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2023

Some Hindu groups argued the caste system is not a serious issue in North America.

From BBC • Sep. 6, 2023

Primarily, it’s helpful to remember that as Tamil Brahmins, Ramaswamy’s family sits at the very top of India’s caste system.

From Slate • Aug. 29, 2023

Indeed, a primary function of any racial caste system is to define the meaning of race in its time.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023