equal opportunity

American  

noun

1. the aggregation of policies and practices in employment and other areas that do not discriminate against people on the basis of race, skin color, age, sex, gender, national origin, religion, or mental or physical disability.

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equal opportunity British  

noun

1. 1. the offering of employment, pay, or promotion equally to all, without discrimination as to sex, race, colour, disability, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      our equal-opportunity policy

      an equal-opportunities employer

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equal opportunity Cultural  

1. The goal of giving all persons an equal chance to an education and employment, and to protect their civil rights, regardless of their race, religious beliefs, or gender. In the United States, various minority groups have been fighting for equal opportunity over the last 150 years. (See affirmative action, civil rights movement, equal protection of the laws, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Organization for Women, segregation, sexism, suffragist, and women's movement.)

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Other Word Forms

• equal-opportunity
  adjective

Example Sentences

"Equal opportunity and non-discrimination are highly treasured by our government and our people."

From Reuters • Nov. 4, 2023

Equal opportunity teasing among the hosts and a baseline spirit of generosity help a wide range of subjects go down smoothly.

From New York Times • Dec. 8, 2022

Equal opportunity is an aspiration forever imperfectly realized.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2021

Equal opportunity offenders don’t tend to care about anyone or anything.

From Salon • Oct. 1, 2020

Equal opportunity was the tactic he had used in the Navy where he had encouraged specialized training for all qualified Negroes.

From Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 by MacGregor, Morris J.

Related Words

• civil rights
• coordination
• fairness
• identity
• impartiality
• parity
• tolerance