English

Noun

multiculturalism ‎(countable and uncountable, plural multiculturalisms)

1. The characteristics of a society, city etc. which has many different ethnic or national cultures mingling freely; political or social policies which support or encourage such coexistence. [from 20th c.]
   • 1991 April 8, Barbara Ehrenreich, “Essay: Teach Diversity -- with a Smile”, in Time:

     Something had to replace the threat of communism, and at last a workable substitute is at hand. "Multiculturalism," as the new menace is known, has been denounced in the media recently as the new McCarthyism, the new fundamentalism, even the new totalitarianism -- take your choice.

   • 2005 August 3, David Davis MP, Daily Telegraph:

     Britain has pursued a policy of multiculturalism - allowing people of different cultures to settle without expecting them to integrate into society.

   • 2011 April 7, “On a mat and a prayer”, in The Economist:

     Earlier this year he said multiculturalism had “failed”, that immigrants needed to “melt” into French society, and that “we do not want ostentatious prayers in the street in France.”

Related terms

• multicultural
• multiculturally
• multicultured

Translations

See also

• cosmopolitan
• culturism