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discrimination definition

dis·crimi·na·tion (di skrim′i nā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. the act of discriminating, or distinguishing differences
  2. the ability to make or perceive distinctions; perception; discernment
    1. partiality, or bias, in the treatment of a person or group, which is unfair, illegal, etc.
    2. an act, policy, pattern of behavior, etc. characterized by such partiality

Etymology: L discriminatio

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business discrimination definition - business

law discrimination definition - legal

discrimination Synonyms

discrimination

n.

  1. The power to make distinctions

    discernment, perception, acuteness, taste; see acumen, judgment 1, taste 3.

  2. The act of drawing a distinction

    separation, differentiation, difference; see distinction 1.

  3. Partiality

    unfairness, bias, bigotry; see hatred 2, prejudice.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

discrimination Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • outlaw: Legislation to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of age is due by December 2006.

Converse of subject

  • taint: Back to top I s the study tainted by sex discrimination?

Adjective modifier

  • racial: The Council will not tolerate any form of racial discrimination, either direct or indirect.

Preposition: on

  • ground: Discrimination on the grounds of age will become unlawful from October 2006.

Noun used with modifier

  • sex: Examples of indirect sex discrimination are less likely to arise.

Preposition: in

  • workplace: In December 2003, the government introduced legislation making discrimination in the workplace over sexual preference illegal.

Modifies a noun

  • legislation: The European Court's decision does not address the impact of age discrimination legislation on the use of length of service criterion.
discrimination usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

discrimination quotes

Discrimination is a hellhound that gnaws at negroes in every waking moment of their lives, to remind them that the lie of their inferiority is accepted as truth in the society dominating them.

-King, Martin LutherJr

discrimination quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"discrimination." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/discrimination>

APA Style

discrimination. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/discrimination

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