Synonyms of inclusion
1
: the act of including : the state of being included
inclusion of all expenses in the statement
2
: something that is included: such as
a
: a gaseous, liquid, or solid foreign body enclosed in a mass (as of a mineral)
b
: a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (such as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus
3
: the act or practice of including students with disabilities with the general student population
Inclusion refers to a variety of integration approaches, but the goal is to blend special education students into the traditional classroom.—Suevon Lee
—sometimes used before a noun
an inclusion classroom/school
4
: the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability)
promoting inclusion in the workplace
… academic libraries have traditionally struggled to address problems of equity, diversity and inclusion. The low representation of people of color in library staff has been a particular shortcoming, despite many initiatives to attract minority staff to the field.—Lindsay McKenzie
Tech workers say they are more interested in diversity and are more willing to work to promote inclusion in their workplace …—Jessica Guynn
Meaningful civic inclusion even now eludes many of our fellow citizens who are recognizably of African descent.—Glenn C. Loury
5
mathematics : a relation between two classes (see class sense 3c) that exists when all members of the first class are also members of the second compare membership sense 3

Examples of inclusion in a Sentence

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.
Its page describes accommodation, transfers and aftercare among the inclusions, and states that flights are excluded. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026 That legislation restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in public schools. — Erin Jones, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026 Yet her inclusion feels totally impromptu, like she and Bryan just got called up for their turn at karaoke and didn’t have a chance to work out the harmonies. — Walden Green, Pitchfork, 16 Oct. 2026 Some companies may have paid an application fee in order to be considered, but this payment does not impact a company's inclusion or ranking. — Time, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for inclusion

Word History

Etymology

Latin inclusion-, inclusio, from includere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of inclusion was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

inclusion

noun
1
: the act of including : the state of being included
2
: something that is included

Medical Definition

inclusion

noun
: something that is included
especially : a passive usually temporary product of cell activity (as a starch grain) within the cytoplasm or nucleus

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