Advertisement - Continue reading below

Definition of "nepotism" []

  • Favoritism shown or patronage granted to relatives, as in business. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "nepotism" in a sentence
  • "The word nepotism is from the Latin word 'nepos', meaning "nephew" or "grandchild". shows up again. while: Biotrophic parasitism is an extremely common mode of life that has arisen independently many times in the course of evolution."
  • "The term nepotism, although first showing up in the English language around 1669, took its meaning from the term cardinal-nephews which was the Popes practice of creating Cardinals from their family, usually nephews, as they were not supposed to have children of their own."
  • "Sullivan produced a long list of people who had gotten jobs in Washington through such connections, and concluded, "All this nepotism is a worrisome sign that America's political class is becoming increasingly insular.""