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.
Bolzano and neighbouring province Trento were granted the status of autonomous areas in 1972, and in South Tyrol multiculturalism is protected by law.
From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026
Canada provides an instructional model for democratic multiculturalism beyond mythologized heritage.
From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026
For 18th-century enlightened reformers, ethnic diversity and multiculturalism weren’t good things.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
For generations, the city has prided itself on its multiculturalism.
From BBC • Oct. 12, 2025
Dr. Rohmer had announced that he had just completed a three-day workshop on multiculturalism for ed-you-kay-toars.
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
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.
