discrimination

[dih-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of discriminating, or of making a distinction.

2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit.

   racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.

3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment.

   She chose the colors with great discrimination.

   Synonyms: perception, acumen, taste, discernment

4. Archaic.,  something that serves to differentiate.

discrimination

/ dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. unfair treatment of a person, racial group, minority, etc; action based on prejudice

2. subtle appreciation in matters of taste

3. the ability to see fine distinctions and differences

4. electronics the selection of a signal having a particular frequency, amplitude, phase, etc, effected by the elimination of other signals by means of a discriminator

Other Word Forms

• discriminational adjective
• antidiscrimination adjective
• nondiscrimination noun
• prediscrimination noun
• self-discrimination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrimination¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin discrīminātiōn-, stem of discrīminātiō “division, separation,” literally “a dividing,” equivalent to discrīmināt(us) “separated” (past participle of discrīmināre “to divide up, separate”; discriminate ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Some of the other 28 points of the draft also a nod to Russia's claims of discrimination of Ukraine's Russian-speaking population without explicitly endorsing them.

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“The unprecedented decision by the Board to place Villanueva on a ‘Do Not Hire’ was the result of a defamatory charge of discrimination and harassment,” the former sheriff wrote in the June complaint.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

As head of the federal agency that fights workplace discrimination, Andrea Lucas has said two men in particular have shaped her sense of mission.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He posted a reel on Instagram earlier this month about the policy after saying someone had accused him of discrimination.

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In particular, the federal role has focused on ensuring services are provided for overlooked students and students with higher needs, such as those facing discrimination and poverty, and students with disabilities.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bigotry 
• favoritism 
• hatred 
• inequity 
• injustice 
• intolerance 
• prejudice 
• unfairness www.thesaurus.com