diversity
noun
di·ver·si·ty
də-ˈvər-sə-tē 
dī-
plural diversities
1
a
: the quality or condition of having or being composed of differing elements (such as forms, types, or ideas) : variety sense 1
linguistic diversity
an island with great diversity in plant life
There's a diversity of opinion on the matter.
b
: a group or collection of differing elements : variety sense 2
She has a diversity of interests.
saw a diversity of shorebirds at the park
2
: the state or practice of including people of different races (see race entry 1 sense 1a), cultures, etc. in a group or organization
promoting diversity in the workplace
—often used before another noundiversity programs/efforts
a diversity committee
see also diversity, equity and inclusion
Examples of diversity in a Sentence
Another factor in Burns' rise has been the strength and depth of Xerox's commitment to diversity. One-third of Xerox's 3,819 executives are women and 22% are minorities.
—
Nanette Byrnes et al., Business Week, 8 June 2009
Jim, a lanky, bearded 35-year-old, knows a lot about heirloom fruits and vegetables. He works with the Southern Seed Legacy in Athens, Georgia, an organization devoted to preserving the seeds of heirloom plants in order to restore some of the genetic diversity that industrial agriculture has eroded over the years.
—Gary Paul Nabhan, Saveur, October 2009
Even more eccentric is the treatment of the British Empire. Stretching over three centuries and six continents, you might have expected that its extent, duration, and diversity would have made it immune to facile interpretation.
—David Gilmour, New York Review, 2 Nov. 2006
The media flood the nation's editorial markets with testimonies to the piebald character of the American democracy jumbled together from a wonderful diversity of colors, creeds, and cultural dispensations, which is a swell story, but in the United States Senate not one visible to the naked eye.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 2005
The handsome creatures have hooked the interest of evolutionists and ecologists because of their dazzling diversity of shapes, behaviors, and feeding habits, which include nibbling the fins and scales of other fish.
—Science, 26 Nov. 2004
The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.
The city is known for its cultural diversity.
The school aims for diversity in its student population.
Nanette Byrnes et al., Business Week, 8 June 2009
Jim, a lanky, bearded 35-year-old, knows a lot about heirloom fruits and vegetables. He works with the Southern Seed Legacy in Athens, Georgia, an organization devoted to preserving the seeds of heirloom plants in order to restore some of the genetic diversity that industrial agriculture has eroded over the years.
—Gary Paul Nabhan, Saveur, October 2009
Even more eccentric is the treatment of the British Empire. Stretching over three centuries and six continents, you might have expected that its extent, duration, and diversity would have made it immune to facile interpretation.
—David Gilmour, New York Review, 2 Nov. 2006
The media flood the nation's editorial markets with testimonies to the piebald character of the American democracy jumbled together from a wonderful diversity of colors, creeds, and cultural dispensations, which is a swell story, but in the United States Senate not one visible to the naked eye.
—Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 2005
The handsome creatures have hooked the interest of evolutionists and ecologists because of their dazzling diversity of shapes, behaviors, and feeding habits, which include nibbling the fins and scales of other fish.
—Science, 26 Nov. 2004
The island has more diversity in plant life than other islands nearby.
The city is known for its cultural diversity.
The school aims for diversity in its student population.
Recent Examples on the Web
As the sun rose in in Louisville, Kentucky, some gathered at Historic Locust Grove, a green expanse where famous Americans like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark once met, to celebrate the United States' diversity.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
The genus includes a great diversity of plant types, with both annual and perennial varieties performing well in the garden.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 July 2026
Any event that brings people together in a community with diversity is needed.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
The decisions come at a moment when long-standing debates over race and identity have turned toward immigration, increasing racial diversity and the fairness of policies meant to prevent and redress discrimination.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for diversity
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.
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
5 July 2026
The genus includes a great diversity of plant types, with both annual and perennial varieties performing well in the garden.
—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
3 July 2026
Any event that brings people together in a community with diversity is needed.
—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
2 July 2026
The decisions come at a moment when long-standing debates over race and identity have turned toward immigration, increasing racial diversity and the fairness of policies meant to prevent and redress discrimination.
—
ABC News,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for diversity
Cite this Entry
“Diversity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
diversity
noun
di·ver·si·ty
də-ˈvər-sət-ē
dī-
plural diversities
1
: the condition of being different
2
: an instance or a point of difference
Legal Definition
diversity
noun
di·ver·si·ty
də-ˈvər-sə-tē, dī-
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