Ethnicity Definition & Meaning

"Ethnicity" refers to a social group that shares a common cultural, national, or ancestral background. It is a concept used to categorize and describe people based on shared cultural traits, such as language, religion, traditions, customs, and often a common historical and geographic heritage. Ethnicity can encompass a wide range of factors, including nationality, race, religion, and shared cultural practices.

Ethnicity is different from race, as it is primarily a cultural or social classification, while race often refers to physical characteristics. People of the same ethnicity may come from various racial backgrounds but share cultural and historical connections.

For example, ethnicities might include African, Chinese, Irish, Jewish, Hispanic, and many others. An individual's ethnicity can be an essential part of their identity and influence their cultural practices, values, and sense of belonging.