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Definition of equality noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

equality

noun
 
/iˈkwɒləti/
 
/iˈkwɑːləti/
[uncountable]
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  1. the fact of being equal in rights, status, advantages, etc.
    • racial/social/gender equality
    • We need to ensure equality of opportunity in all areas of work.
    • the principle of equality before the law (= the law treats everyone the same)
    • Don't you believe in equality between men and women?
    opposite inequality
    Collocations RaceRaceRace and society
    • fight for/​struggle for/​promote racial equality/​civil rights/​equal rights
    • outlaw/​end discrimination/​segregation
    • promote/​embrace/​celebrate/​champion diversity/​multiculturalism
    • attack/​criticize/​oppose/​reject multiculturalism
    • bridge/​break down/​transcend cultural/​racial barriers
    • practise/​promote (racial/​religious) tolerance/​integration
    • exacerbate/​widen/​perpetuate/​reinforce (racial/​socio-economic) inequality
    • conform to/​challenge/​violate (accepted/​established/​prevailing/​dominant) social/​cultural norms
    Prejudice and racism
    • experience/​encounter racism/​discrimination/​prejudice/​anti-Semitism/​Islamophobia
    • face/​suffer persecution/​discrimination
    • fear/​escape from/​flee (racial/​political/​religious) persecution
    • denounce/​condemn racism/​hate/​anti-Semitism/​Islamophobia
    • challenge/​confront racism/​discrimination/​prejudice
    • combat/​dismantle/​eradicate/​fight (blatant/​overt/​covert/​subtle/​institutional/​systemic) racism
    • perpetuate/​defy (common/​popular/​traditional/​negative) stereotypes
    • entrench/​perpetuate racism/​racist attitudes
    • reflect/​reveal/​show/​have a racial/​cultural bias
    • constitute/​be a form of racial/​race discrimination
    • discriminate/​be prejudiced/​be biased against minority groups/​minorities/​people of colour
    Extra Examples
    • The State shall not deny anyone equality before the law.
    • The women are demanding full equality with the men of their community.
    • These women are demanding fairness and equality in their pay.
    • They fought for greater equality between the sexes.
    • Women do not yet have true equality in the company.
    • the goal of formal equality before the law
    • the task of achieving equality for trans people
    • Equality between the various groups seemed a long way off.
    • Equality for gay people in employment law is a relatively recent progression.
    • Equality of opportunity is our priority.
    • Gender equality is an ideal that we have not yet achieved.
    • The fight for equality tended to take the form of civil disobedience.
    • The people were demanding full equality with their former masters.
    • Is there a society in the world where women have true equality?
    • They are leaders in the campaign to bring about greater racial equality.
    Topics Social issuesc1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • complete
    • full
    • perfect
    verb + equality
    • have
    • achieve
    • demand
    phrases
    • equality before the law
    • equality of opportunity
    preposition
    • equality between
    • equality for
    • equality in
    See full entry
    Word Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin aequalitas, from aequalis, from aequus ‘even, level, equal’.
See equality in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee equality in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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adjective
 
 
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