ethnicity

[eth-nis-i-tee] / ɛθˈnɪs ɪ ti /

NOUN

ethnic background

Synonyms

STRONG

nationality race

WEAK

background identity origin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Proposition 209 forbids discrimination against or preferential treatment for anyone “on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin” in “public employment, public education, or public contracting.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

Dyfed-Powys Police said spiking could "happen anywhere, no matter one's age, gender, sexuality or ethnicity".

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Democrats also want to bar DHS officers from detaining people based on their ethnicity, spoken language, accent, or place of work.

From Slate • Feb. 19, 2026

Researchers adjusted their analysis to account for factors such as age, sex, race and ethnicity, smoking status, and income.

From Science Daily • Feb. 10, 2026

Then she asks if any of us wrote down words that describe our ethnicity.

From "Watch Us Rise" by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan