discrimination

UK: /dɪsˌkrɪmɪˈneɪʃ^ən/

US: /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/

US: (di skrim′ə nā′shən)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•crim•i•na•tion /dɪˌskrɪməˈneɪʃən/   n. [uncountable]

1. the act or practice of discriminating:
   job discrimination.
2. the ability to make or see differences;
   the ability to distinguish or judge among things:
   fine discrimination in his choice of wine.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dis•crim•i•na•tion  (di skrim′ə nā′shən), n. 

1. an act or instance of discriminating.
2. Sociology treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit:
   racial and religious intolerance and discrimination.
3. the power of making fine distinctions;
   discriminating judgment:
   She chose the colors with great discrimination.
4. [Archaic.] something that serves to differentiate.

• Latin discrīminātiōn- (stem of discrīminātiō) a distinguishing. See discriminate, -ion
• 1640–50

dis•crim′i•na′tion•al, adj. 
Synonyms

• 3. discernment, taste, acumen, perception.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

discrimination / dɪˌskrɪmɪˈneɪʃən/ noun

1. unfair treatment of a person, racial group, minority, etc; action based on prejudice
2. subtle appreciation in matters of taste
3. the ability to see fine distinctions and differences