discrimination

[dih-skrim-uh-ney-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of discriminating, or of making a distinction.

2. treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit.

   racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.

3. the power of making fine distinctions; discriminating judgment.

   She chose the colors with great discrimination.

   Synonyms: perception, acumen, taste, discernment

4. Archaic.,  something that serves to differentiate.

discrimination

/ dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. unfair treatment of a person, racial group, minority, etc; action based on prejudice

2. subtle appreciation in matters of taste

3. the ability to see fine distinctions and differences

4. electronics the selection of a signal having a particular frequency, amplitude, phase, etc, effected by the elimination of other signals by means of a discriminator

Other Word Forms

• discriminational adjective
• antidiscrimination adjective
• nondiscrimination noun
• prediscrimination noun
• self-discrimination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discrimination¹

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin discrīminātiōn-, stem of discrīminātiō “division, separation,” literally “a dividing,” equivalent to discrīmināt(us) “separated” (past participle of discrīmināre “to divide up, separate”; discriminate ) + -ion ( def. )

Example Sentences

Girls and women with darker skin tones are called derogatory names and face discrimination; and skin lightening products make for big business, earning billions of dollars in profits.

From BBC

Every time leaders make and amplify these false and dangerous connections, they add fuel to the fire of harassment, discrimination and violence faced by trans communities.

From Salon

Israel's defence ministry called the move a "deliberate and regrettable act of discrimination" and said it would be withdrawing and not setting up a national pavilion.

From BBC

"In the future, I would tell my kids when you face some discrimination, when somebody picks on you, this is a way to push back."

From BBC

Bailey framed the post as discrimination against Christians.

From Salon

Related Words

• bigotry 
• favoritism 
• hatred 
• inequity 
• injustice 
• intolerance 
• prejudice 
• unfairness www.thesaurus.com