ETHNICITY Definition & Meaning

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ethnicity

[eth-nis-i-tee]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural

ethnicities

an ethnic group; a social group that shares a common and distinctive culture, religion, language, or the like.
Representatives of several ethnicities were present.
ethnic traits, background, allegiance, or association.
The graph shows class enrollment by gender and ethnicity.

ethnicity

Identity with or membership in a particular racial, national, or cultural group and observance of that group's customs, beliefs, and language.

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Usage

race ²

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Many minority groups in the United States maintain strong ethnic identity; especially in cities, immigrants are often attracted to ethnic communities established by people from their own country, communities in which many traditional cultural features are maintained. (See melting pot.)

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of ethnicity¹

First recorded in 1765–75, for earlier sense; ethnic + -ity

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He said that this neighborhood, with its mix of ethnicities, is “comfortable and safe,” but lately, his employees are also fearful.

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The BBC has obtained new police data on the ethnicity of suspects arrested on suspicion of gang grooming offences in England and Wales in 2024.

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It was striking how quickly police shared the man's nationality and ethnicity.

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"It's high time Nigeria looks beyond ethnicity," he said.

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He thinks Latino politicians need to close ranks like he feels other ethnicities do.

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ethnic cleansing ethnic minority

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