Added 9 October 2026
discrimination
/dɪskɹɪmɪˈneɪʃən/ noun
Latin root: discrīminātiō Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about discrimination at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- Discernment, the act of discriminating, discerning, distinguishing, noting or perceiving differences between things, with the intent to understand rightly and make correct decisions. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
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Differential treatment of an individual or group to their disadvantage; treatment or consideration based on class or category rather than individual merit; partiality; prejudice; bigotry.
sexual or racial discrimination
- The quality of being discriminating; acute discernment, especially in matters of good taste.
Origin
Learned borrowing from Latin discrīminātiō, discrīminātiōnem, the action noun to discrīminō, discrīmināre (“distinguish”). Equivalent to discriminate + -ion. In English use from the 17th century.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)