ethnicity

noun

eth·​nic·​i·​ty eth-ˈni-sə-tē How to pronounce ethnicity (audio)
plural ethnicities
Synonyms of ethnicitynext
1
: ethnic quality or affiliation
aspects of ethnicity
2
: a particular ethnic affiliation or group
students of diverse ethnicities

Synonyms of ethnicity

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Examples of ethnicity in a Sentence

a university with a student body of diverse ethnicities
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The hackers also obtained access to unique student identifier numbers as well as information about gender, race or ethnicity, primary language, country of origin and English learner status. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 Human nutrition has focused on food groups and the construction of a balanced diet that is highly varied based on personal preference, ethnicity, accessibility, dietary restrictions and numerous other factors. — Will Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026 But for decades, because of his ethnicity, Tenzing’s role in the mission was understated by history; he was treated as Hillary’s noble assistant. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 This includes a person's race, ethnicity, disease carrier status, health conditions, and biological relatives. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ethnicity

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethnicity was in 1920

Rhymes for ethnicity

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Browse Nearby Words

ethnicism
ethnicity
ethnic minorities
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Cite this Entry

“Ethnicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethnicity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ethnicity

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethnicity

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