multiculturalism
Americannoun
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the state or condition of being multicultural.
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the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society, as a state or nation.
noun
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the state or condition of being multicultural
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the policy of maintaining a diversity of ethnic cultures within a community
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of multiculturalism
First recorded in 1960–65; multicultural + -ism
Explanation
Do you think different cultures can and should get along — and be celebrated? Then you believe in multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is an optimistic philosophy that says if we learn about and accept other cultures, we'll all get along better. Sometimes multiculturalism is celebrated by eating food from other countries or learning about how people live in different parts of the world. When you study multiculturalism, you usually learn two things: how different other people are, and how similar they are, too.
Vocabulary lists containing multiculturalism
The View from Saturday
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American History - Middle School
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American History - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A leading champion of multiculturalism has died at 84.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026
The birthplace of tennis great Jannik Sinner, the province enjoys considerable administrative, legislative and fiscal autonomy from Rome and remains deeply committed to upholding its multiculturalism.
From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026
Humza Yousaf said the "toxicity" of the debate around multiculturalism in England had made its way north of the border.
From BBC • Sep. 18, 2025
Series creator James Gunn takes aim at that paradigm through “Superman” and its adamant championing of immigrants, multiculturalism and unity.
From Salon • Aug. 21, 2025
This chapter will look at the history of multiculturalism and diversity education, the field of ethnomusicology, and strategies for teaching using multicultural music aesthetics.
From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
