discrimination

/dəˈskrɪməˌneɪʃən/

/dɪskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/

Other forms: discriminations

Discrimination means distinguishing between two or more people or things. Usually, discrimination means an unfair system that treats one group of people worse than another.

Discrimination isn't always a bad thing. You have to use discrimination to tell a good restaurant from a bad one, or a good idea from a bad one. However, this word is very tarnished by its main use these days: as a word for unfair treatment of people, based on racism, sexism, homophobia, or another prejudice. There is a huge history of discrimination in the United States.

Definitions of discrimination

1. noun

   unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice
   synonyms: favoritism, favouritism

   types:

   able-bodiedism, able-bodism, ableism, ablism

   discrimination in favor of the able-bodied

   ageism, agism

   discrimination against people based on how old they are (especially elderly or middle-aged individuals)

   cronyism

   favoritism shown to friends and associates (as by appointing them to positions without regard for their qualifications)

   fatism, fattism

   discrimination against people who are overweight

   heterosexism

   discrimination in favor of heterosexual and against homosexual people

   nepotism

   favoritism shown to relatives or close friends by those in power (as by giving them jobs)

   racial discrimination, racialism, racism

   discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race

   sexism

   discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of the opposite sex

   racial profiling

   a form of racism consisting of the (alleged) policy of policemen who stop and search vehicles driven by persons belonging to particular racial groups

   antifeminism, chauvinism, male chauvinism

   activity indicative of belief in the superiority of men over women

   sexual discrimination

   discrimination (usually in employment) that excludes one sex (usually women) to the benefit of the other sex

   type of:

   social control

   control exerted (actively or passively) by group action
2. noun

   the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished
   synonyms: secernment

   types:

   differentiation, distinction

   a discrimination between things as different and distinct

   individualisation, individualization, individuation

   discriminating the individual from the generic group or species

   appreciation, discernment, perceptiveness, taste

   delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values)

   contradistinction

   a distinction drawn on the basis of contrast

   contrast, demarcation, dividing line, line

   a conceptual separation or distinction

   hairsplitting, word-splitting

   making too fine distinctions of little importance

   connoisseurship, vertu, virtu

   love of or taste for fine objects of art

   style, trend, vogue

   the popular taste at a given time

   delicacy, discretion

   refined taste; tact

   culture

   the tastes in art and manners that are favored by a social group

   type of:

   basic cognitive process

   cognitive processes involved in obtaining and storing knowledge