What does "discrimination" mean?

1. (unfair treatment) treating a person or group unfairly because of who they are, such as their race, gender, or religion. 2. (noticing differences) the ability to see or understand the difference between two or more things. 3. (good taste) the ability to judge what is high quality or has good style.

discrimination

US //dɪsˌkɹɪməˈneɪʃən// UK //dɪskɹˌɪmɪnˈeɪʃən// dis·crim·i·na·tion

1 unfair treatment (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

treating a person or group unfairly because of who they are, such as their race, gender, or religion.

the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

Example

The company was accused of discrimination because they refused to hire older workers.

Example

The landmark legislation was designed to eliminate systemic discrimination in the housing market, ensuring equal access for all citizens regardless of their background.
- fairness
- equality
2 noticing differences (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic

the ability to see or understand the difference between two or more things.

the cognitive process of distinguishing between different stimuli or recognizing fine details.

Example

A young child's discrimination between different colors develops quickly.

Example

The experiment tested the subjects' auditory discrimination by asking them to identify subtle variations in pitch and tone.
- distinction
- differentiation
- confusion

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3 good taste (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal

the ability to judge what is high quality or has good style.

the quality of being discerning; acute judgment, especially in matters of aesthetics or social conduct.

Example

She showed great discrimination in choosing only the finest materials for her home.

Example

The collector was renowned for his discrimination, rarely purchasing a piece that did not meet his exacting standards for historical authenticity.

Origin

Learned borrowing from Latin discrīminātiō, discrīminātiōnem, the action noun to discrīminō, discrīmināre (“distinguish”). Equivalent to discriminate + -ion. In English use from the 17th century.