1. A social organization in which diversity of racial, religious, ethnic or cultural groups is tolerated
   "The city prided itself on its pluralism, celebrating the various cultures of its inhabitants"
    
2. The doctrine that reality consists of several basic substances or elements
   "The philosopher's pluralism argued against a single, unified theory of existence"
    
3. The practice of one person holding more than one benefice at a time
   "Pluralism in the church was a controversial practice in medieval times"

Derived forms: pluralisms

Type of: doctrine, ism, pattern, philosophical system, philosophy, practice, school of thought, social organisation [Brit], social organization, social structure, social system, structure

Antonym: monism

Encyclopedia: Pluralism