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

Turkish authorities deny there is discrimination against Christians.

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Roosevelt banned racial discrimination in defense work after Randolph threatened a March on Washington.

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In California, a new law, ostensibly intended to protect Jewish students from discrimination, goes into effect on Jan. 1.

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“The deal cements policy changes that will protect students and other members of the campus from harassment and discrimination, and it recommits the school to merit-based hiring and admissions,” McMahon said.

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The office will have a staff of at least six, including an antisemitism coordinator, who will educate school districts about the harms of bias and investigate discrimination complaints.

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Related Words

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