inclusion

The word “inclusion” means the act of adding something to a group, or the state of being part of it. In plain terms, being added or counted as part of a group — often used today around fairness and belonging.

“Inclusion” is pronounced ihn-KLOO-zhuhn (/ɪnˈkluːʒən/ in IPA).

Here is “inclusion” used in a sentence: “Her inclusion in the final team came as a surprise.”

The opposite of “inclusion” — its antonyms — is exclusion.

“Inclusion” is a noun.

The word “inclusion” comes from Latin. From Latin inclusio, from includere, "to enclose" — see include.

“Inclusion” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

“Inclusion” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of adding something to a group, or the state of being part of it.

Diversity describes the mix of different backgrounds, abilities, and identities present in a group, while inclusion is the practice of making sure those people actually feel welcomed and valued. A workplace can be diverse without being inclusive if some members are present but overlooked.

Integration focuses on bringing separate people or groups into a combined whole, while inclusion goes further, ensuring everyone can participate fully and feels valued. Someone can be integrated into a class or workplace and still not experience genuine inclusion.

In gemmology, inclusions are foreign particles or internal flaws trapped inside a stone as it forms. Diamond clarity grades are based largely on how visible these inclusions are, so a stone with fewer inclusions is generally rarer and more valuable.

Inclusion is the act or practice of adding people to a group and making them feel welcomed and valued, while inclusivity is the quality or policy of being inclusive. In practice, organisations demonstrate inclusivity through concrete acts of inclusion.