equal opportunity

noun

1. the aggregation of policies and practices in employment and other areas that do not discriminate against people on the basis of race, skin color, age, sex, gender, national origin, religion, or mental or physical disability.

equal opportunity

noun

1. 1. the offering of employment, pay, or promotion equally to all, without discrimination as to sex, race, colour, disability, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      our equal-opportunity policy

      an equal-opportunities employer

equal opportunity

1. The goal of giving all persons an equal chance to an education and employment, and to protect their civil rights , regardless of their race, religious beliefs, or gender. In the United States, various minority groups have been fighting for equal opportunity over the last 150 years. ( See affirmative action , civil rights movement , equal protection of the laws , National Association for the Advancement of Colored People , National Organization for Women , segregation , sexism , suffragist , and women's movement .)

Other Word Forms

• equal-oppor·tuni·ty adjective

Example Sentences

An absolute must-read for everyone who still believes America is a nation of equal opportunity.

From Los Angeles Times

A country in which each of us is accorded equal dignity, equal rights, and equal opportunity.

From Salon

It has been instrumental in ensuring equal opportunity based on race, sex, disability, language status, and other categories.

From Salon

"A child would want equal opportunity to spend time with both parents, but the system doesn't allow that," he said.

From BBC

"It is not an equal opportunities endeavour. It is, rather, a manifestation of the kind of thing that keeps this world unequal. That women's bodies are for public consumption and men's, usually, aren't," she wrote.

From BBC

Related Words

• civil rights
• coordination
• fairness
• identity
• impartiality
• parity
• tolerance