Treating one or more members of a specified group unfairly as compared with other people. What does the noun discrimination mean?There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun discrimination, two of which are labelled obsolete. The practice of treating someone or a particular group in society less fairly than others. Discrimination is an action or practice that excludes, disadvantages, or merely differentiates between individuals or groups of individuals Discrimination means treating a person 'less favourably' than someone else, because of protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010. And comply with laws prohibiting gender discrimination in the workplace. Although the unions and civil rights activists were adversaries over employment discrimination, they united in trying to register southern blacks to vote.