diaspora: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, academic, historical, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “diaspora” mean?
A large group of people who have moved away from their original homeland, either by force or choice, and live scattered across the world while often maintaining a connection to their original culture and identity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large group of people who have moved away from their original homeland, either by force or choice, and live scattered across the world while often maintaining a connection to their original culture and identity.
Any large dispersion or spread of people sharing a common origin, identity, or culture beyond a single geographical region. It can also be used metaphorically for the spreading or scattering of anything, such as ideas or species.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Slight preference for the term in American contexts when discussing African diaspora due to specific academic and cultural discourse.
Connotations
In the UK, often used in contexts related to post-colonial migration from the Commonwealth. In the US, often linked to discussions of identity, slavery (African diaspora), and multiculturalism.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in academic and journalistic contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “diaspora” in a Sentence
the diaspora of [people]a diaspora from [place]the [adjective] diasporaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diaspora” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not a standard verb form]
American English
- [Not a standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [Not a standard adverb form]
American English
- [Not a standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- Diaspora communities often maintain strong transnational ties.
- The diasporic experience is central to her research.
American English
- She works for a diaspora organization focused on cultural preservation.
- Diasporic populations contributed significantly to the city's economy.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in global HR contexts, e.g., 'tapping into the skills of the diaspora.'
Academic
Very common in sociology, history, cultural studies, and post-colonial studies.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be used in news discussions about migration or cultural identity.
Technical
Used in specific fields like demography and anthropology with a precise socio-cultural meaning.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diaspora”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diaspora”
- Using 'immigrants' or 'expatriates' as direct synonyms (they are subsets; diaspora implies a larger, historic, collective identity).
- Using the word for small, recent migrant groups (it implies scale and historical depth).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, 'the Diaspora' (referring specifically to the Jewish dispersion) was capitalised. In modern, broader usage, it is typically not capitalised unless it starts a sentence or is part of a proper name (e.g., 'African Diaspora Studies').
No. 'Diaspora' is a collective noun referring to a large group or population. A single person could be described as a 'member of the diaspora' or a 'diasporic subject.'
'Immigrants' refers to people who have moved to a new country. 'Diaspora' is a broader concept that includes immigrants but also their descendants, emphasising a shared identity, historical roots, and connection to a homeland across generations and geographic boundaries.
No, 'diaspora' is not used as a verb in standard English. You would use phrases like 'to be dispersed,' 'to scatter,' or 'to form a diaspora.'
A large group of people who have moved away from their original homeland, either by force or choice, and live scattered across the world while often maintaining a connection to their original culture and identity.
Diaspora is usually formal, academic, historical, journalistic in register.
Diaspora: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˈæspərə/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈæspərə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms based solely on this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DIAs' (gods) 'SPORA' (like spores scattering). "The gods scattered the spores of the people across the earth."
Conceptual Metaphor
A PEOPLE IS A FLUID (that flows/scatters). A CULTURE IS A SEED (that is planted elsewhere).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'diaspora' LEAST likely to be appropriately used?