inequality

American  

[in-i-kwol-i-tee] / ˌɪn ɪˈkwɒl ɪ ti /

noun

inequalities plural

1. the condition of being unequal; lack of equality; disparity.

   inequality of size.

2. 1. social or economic disparity: widening income inequality in America.

      inequality between rich and poor people;

      widening income inequality in America.

   2. unequal opportunity or treatment resulting from this disparity.

      inequality in healthcare and education.

3. disparity or relative inadequacy in natural endowments.

   a startling inequality of intellect, talents, and physical stamina.

4. injustice; favoritism; partiality.

5. unevenness, as of surface.

6. an instance of unevenness.

7. variableness, as of climate.

8. Astronomy.

   1. any component part of the departure from uniformity in astronomical phenomena, especially in orbital motion.

   2. the amount of such a departure.

9. Mathematics. a statement that two quantities are unequal, indicated by the symbol ≠; alternatively, by the symbol <, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is less than that following, or by the symbol >, signifying that the quantity preceding the symbol is greater than that following.

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inequality British  

/ ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being unequal; disparity

2. an instance of disparity

3. lack of smoothness or regularity

4. social or economic disparity

5. maths

   1. a statement indicating that the value of one quantity or expression is not equal to another, as in x ≠ y

   2. a relationship between real numbers involving inequality: x may be greater than y, denoted by x > y, or less than y, denoted by x < y

6. astronomy a departure from uniform orbital motion

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• inequalities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of inequality

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English inequalite “unevenness, disparity,” from Old French inequalite, from Latin inaequālitāt- stem of inaequālitās “irregularity, inequity, inconsistency”; see origin at in- ³, equality

Explanation

When there's an inequality, something is out of balance and things are not equal. An inequality occurs in math when the two quantities are not the same measure or amount. In society, an inequality occurs when rights and privileges are not applied fairly. The civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s, for example, arose because of inequalities between the races. Blacks in the South could not sit in the front of the bus, drink from the same water fountains as whites, or even attend the same schools. People protested this inequality in many ways, including bus strikes, sit-ins, and marches.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inequality inequalities

McMillon will be joined on the data task force by two economics professors, Raj Chetty of Harvard University and Kevin Murphy of the University of Chicago, who are experts on income inequality.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

He warned that the new curriculum, which was designed to address inequality in education - free for all children in Kenya - could end up doing the opposite if the problems were not urgently addressed.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

The rise of the "mipymero," as entrepreneurs are known, has deepened inequality in what was once a classless society.

From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026

During Reconstruction, first-wave feminists agitated for the 14th Amendment to not just remedy the stain of slavery, but to eliminate inequality in all its forms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026

Thus, questions about inequality in the modern world can be reformulated as follows.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

He added that the trust was committed to reducing health inequalities for people with learning disabilities and had made significant improvements to care.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Part of GPs at the Deep End's role is to pilot new strategies to try to reduce healthcare inequalities.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Leo's predecessor Pope Francis spoke extensively on the subject, calling for AI to be regulated and warning that it could exacerbate inequalities.

From Barron's ● May 25, 2026

"Over the past year, cuts to bilateral and multilateral aid have disrupted health systems and widened inequalities," Guterres said in a video address to the assembly.

From Barron's ● May 18, 2026

Those historical inequalities have cast long shadows on the modern world, because the literate societies with metal tools have conquered or exterminated the other societies.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Related Words

• bias
• difference
• discrimination
• disparity
• diversity
• injustice
• unfairness