Discrimination means treating people unfairly because of who they are rather than judging them by their actions or character. When someone discriminates, they make decisions based on things like a person's race, religion, gender, age, or where they're from, instead of considering what really matters for the situation.

Imagine a teacher who only calls on boys in math class because she assumes girls aren't good at math. That's discrimination. Or picture a coach who won't let someone try out for the team because of their last name or the language their family speaks at home. These decisions have nothing to do with ability or effort.

Discrimination can be obvious, like a sign saying “No Girls Allowed” at a treehouse, or subtle, like always picking the same type of kid to be line leader. It can happen in hiring decisions, housing, schools, or everyday interactions.

The word can also have a neutral or even positive meaning: making careful distinctions between things. Someone with discriminating taste in music can tell the difference between a skilled performance and a mediocre one. When we talk about discrimination against people, though, it means treating them unfairly.