inclusion

inclusion — noun

1. Making someone or something part of a larger group, collection, or list; also, a

1.nounB2
Definition

Making someone or something part of a larger group, collection, or list; also, a person who has been added to a group or an item that appears on a list.

Example

The committee discussed the inclusion of a new chapter in the final report.

inclusion of + noun phrase

Christopher felt proud of his inclusion in the national basketball team.

inclusion in + group

Common collocations
  • inclusion of
  • inclusion in
  • inclusion on
  • proposed for inclusion
  • recommend the inclusion of
Synonyms
  • addition

    implies something extra is put in, but not necessarily as an integral part of a group

  • incorporation

    more formal; suggests the thing becomes fully part of a larger whole

  • admission

    focuses on being allowed to enter a group or institution

Antonyms
  • exclusion

    the act of leaving someone or something out

Grammar Patterns

inclusion of [something]

inclusion in [group]

inclusion on [list]

Usage Note

Often used with prepositions 'of' (what is included) and 'in' or 'on' (where it belongs). When countable, it refers to a specific item or person that has been included.

Common Mistakes

The inclusion of sugar is necessary for this cake.
You need to add sugar for this cake.
'Inclusion' sounds overly formal for everyday cooking; use the verb 'include' or 'add' instead.
His inclusion in the team was denied.
He was not included in the team.
Where the verb form is simpler and more natural, prefer it over the noun 'inclusion.'

2. The approach of making sure that all members of society, whatever their personal

2.nounB2
Definition

The approach of making sure that all members of society, whatever their personal characteristics or circumstances, can join fully in daily life and feel valued.

Example

The school's inclusion program pairs all students in the same classroom activities.

inclusion program

Rachid believes true inclusion requires changes to both attitudes and physical spaces.

Common collocations
  • social inclusion
  • promote inclusion
  • commitment to inclusion
  • diversity and inclusion
  • inclusion program
  • inclusion policy
Synonyms
  • integration

    focuses on combining different groups into a unified whole

  • acceptance

    emphasises a welcoming attitude rather than structural policy

  • belonging

    stresses the emotional feeling of being valued within a group

Antonyms
  • exclusion

    the state of being kept out or left out of activities and opportunities

  • discrimination

    unfair treatment of people based on group membership

Grammar Patterns

commitment to inclusion

inclusion in [context]

promote inclusion

Usage Note

Common in education, workplace diversity, and social policy contexts. Frequently appears alongside 'diversity' and 'equity' as part of the 'DEI' framework.

Common Mistakes

The school practices inclusion by letting disabled students attend.
The school practices inclusion by ensuring disabled students can fully take part in all activities.
Inclusion means active participation and belonging, not just physical presence.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words involve bringing something or someone into a group, but they differ in scope and formality. 'Inclusion' (sense 1) is the broadest term — it simply means making something part of a whole. 'Addition' is more casual and often applies to items on a list or ingredients rather than members of a group ('the addition of a new paragraph'). 'Incorporation' is formal and suggests the thing becomes fully merged into the larger entity, losing its separate identity ('the incorporation of the new data into the model'). 'Admission' focuses on the granting of access or entry, usually to an institution or organisation ('his admission to the university'). In everyday speech, 'inclusion' is the most natural choice for people joining a group, while 'addition' works better for objects or items.

inclusion ↗addition ↗incorporationadmission ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • inclusion in society
  • inclusion of diverse groups
  • inclusion on the list

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'inclusio', meaning 'a shutting in' or 'enclosure', based on 'includere' (to shut in), which is formed from 'in-' (in) and 'claudere' (to shut). The word entered English around 1600 with the general sense of 'the act of enclosing or confining'. By the 1800s it had developed the broader meaning of 'the act of including someone or something as part of a whole'. The modern social-justice sense emerged in the late 20th century through education and diversity advocacy.