Definition of "multiculturalism"

multiculturalism

/ˌmʌltɪˈkʌltʃəɹəˌlɪz(ə)m/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural multiculturalisms
1. The characteristics of an organization, society, city etc. which has many different ethnic or national cultures mingling freely; political or social policies which support or encourage such coexistence.
  Quotations
  The truth is that diversity, a kind of multiculturalism if we want to call it that, is the norm in any society.
  1984, David Malouf, A First Place, Vintage, published 2015, page 18
  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.
  1991 April 8, Barbara Ehrenreich, “Essay: Teach Diversity – with a Smile”, in Time
  Britain has pursued a policy of multiculturalism - allowing people of different cultures to settle without expecting them to integrate into society.
  2005 August 3, David Davis MP, Daily Telegraph
  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.”
  2011 April 7, “On a mat and a prayer”, in The Economist
2. (derogatory) the cultural Marxism conspiracy theory.