caste Definition
- 1a social system in which people are born into a particular social group and cannot move to another group
- 2each of the hereditary classes of Hindu society, distinguished by relative degrees of ritual purity or pollution and of social status
Using caste: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "caste" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The Indian caste system is a well-known example of social stratification.
Example
He was born into a high caste family.
Example
Caste discrimination is illegal in India.
Example
The caste system has been a source of controversy and debate for centuries.
caste Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for caste
- class
- stratification
- rank
- status
- social hierarchy
Phrases with caste
a hierarchical social system prevalent in India, consisting of several hereditary endogamous groups called castes
Example
The caste system in India has been a subject of debate and criticism for centuries.
the unfair treatment of individuals based on their caste
Example
Caste discrimination is illegal in India, but it still persists in some parts of the country.
Example
Caste politics is a major factor in Indian elections, with political parties trying to woo voters from different castes.
Origins of caste
from Spanish 'casta', meaning 'lineage'
Summary: caste in Brief
The term 'caste' [kæst] refers to a social system in which people are born into a particular social group and cannot move to another group. It is often associated with the Hindu caste system in India, where individuals are born into hereditary groups called castes. 'Caste' is used in phrases like 'caste system' and 'caste discrimination,' and is a formal term for 'social hierarchy' or 'stratification.'
