ethnicity

American  

[eth-nis-i-tee] / ɛθˈnɪs ɪ ti /

noun

plural

ethnicities

1. an ethnic group; a social group that shares a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.

   Representatives of several ethnicities were present.

2. ethnic traits, background, allegiance, or association.

   The graph shows class enrollment by gender and ethnicity.

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ethnicity Cultural  

1. Identity with or membership in a particular racial, national, or cultural group and observance of that group's customs, beliefs, and language.

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Usage

race ²

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Many minority groups in the United States maintain strong ethnic identity; especially in cities, immigrants are often attracted to ethnic communities established by people from their own country, communities in which many traditional cultural features are maintained. (See melting pot.)

Etymology

Origin of ethnicity

First recorded in 1765–75, for earlier sense; ethnic + -ity

Example Sentences

The Communist Party says it embraces different ethnicities.

From BBC

There are no published figures on the ethnicity or immigration status of people who commit crimes in Scotland.

From BBC

The 44-year-old is deeply engrained in United's culture and has no doubts about the integrity of the club's efforts to be welcoming to people of all ethnicities.

From Barron's

"I think this show did a lot of good to open up the fashion world to different ethnicities, different body types, but it also did a lot of wrong," he says.

From BBC

At the time, Warwickshire Police said once someone was charged with an offence, the force followed national guidance that did not include sharing ethnicity or immigration status.

From BBC