What is the meaning of word discriminate?

"Discriminate" has two main meanings, and the context is key to understanding which one is intended:

1. To make a distinction; to recognize a difference:

* This meaning is usually neutral.

* Example: "The doctor was able to discriminate between the two diseases based on the patient's symptoms."

2. To treat someone differently based on their group membership (e.g., race, religion, gender, etc.):

* This meaning is almost always negative.

* Example: "It is illegal to discriminate against someone based on their race."

It's important to pay attention to the context when you encounter the word "discriminate" to understand its intended meaning.