underrepresentation

American  

[uhn-der-rep-ri-zen-tay-shuhn, -zuhn-] / ˌʌn dərˌrɛp rɪ zɛnˈteɪ ʃən, -zən- /

noun

1. the act of underrepresenting or the condition of being underrepresented; inclusion of a disproportionately low number of members of a particular group or category.

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Example Sentences

The team in a report released this week cautioned that these gaps need to be addressed to “avoid creating a self-reinforcing cycle of biases, underrepresentation and weaker productivity gains.”

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

The new strategy also identified a significant underrepresentation in female jockeys, with only 25% of jockeys being women despite them making up 70% of racing school students and 50% of racing staff.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

As a Chicana screenwriter and producer for over 30 years, López knows firsthand the underrepresentation of Latinos in Hollywood films.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Supriya Mohile is a geriatric oncologist with the University of Rochester Medical Center whose research sheds light on the underrepresentation of older adults in cancer trials.

From Slate • May 20, 2025

"The main reason for the underrepresentation of African dinosaur fossils is 'undersampling'," says Barrett.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2024