inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌi-ni-ˈkwä-lə-tē 

1

: the quality of being unequal or uneven: such as

a

: social disparity

b

: disparity of distribution or opportunity

c

: lack of evenness

d

: the condition of being variable : changeableness

2

: an instance of being unequal

3

: a formal statement of inequality between two quantities usually separated by a sign of inequality (such as <, >, or ≠ signifying respectively is less than, is greater than, or is not equal to)

Examples of inequality in a Sentence

They discussed the problem of inequality between students.

He accused the company of inequality in its hiring practices.

He has proposed a new system designed to remove inequalities in health care.

Recent Examples on the Web

Erik Ortiz Erik Ortiz is a senior reporter for NBC News Digital focusing on racial injustice and social inequality. —Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024

Many on the left focused on racial inequality, gender inequality and LGBTQ inequality. —David Brooks, The Mercury News, 9 Nov. 2024

Promoting opportunity, individual self-empowerment, and access to the marketplace hasn’t addressed the structural inequalities that have historically generated barriers to African-American economic security. —Ben Zdencanovic, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

To address inequality at its roots, without sacrificing the rule of law or the ideal of a truly multiracial democracy—that is more difficult. —Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English inequalite, from Latin inaequalitat-, inaequalitas, from inaequalis unequal, from in- + aequalis equal

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inequality

• triangle inequality

Kids Definition

inequality

noun

in·​equal·​i·​ty ˌin-i-ˈkwäl-ət-ē 

plural inequalities

1

: the quality of being unequal

2

: an instance of being unequal (as an irregularity in a surface)

3

: a statement in mathematics or logic that two quantities usually separated by a special sign (as <, >, or ≠ respectively meaning "is less than," "is greater than," or "is not equal to") are not equal