First Known Use: 1611
Dictionary
1ghetto
noun ghet·to \ˈge-(ˌ)tō\
: a part of a city in which members of a particular group or race live usually in poor conditions
: the poorest part of a city
plural ghettos also ghettoes
Full Definition of GHETTO
1
: a quarter of a city in which Jews were formerly required to live
2
: a quarter of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social, legal, or economic pressure
3
a : an isolated group <a geriatric ghetto> b : a situation that resembles a ghetto especially in conferring inferior status or limiting opportunity <the pink-collar ghetto>
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Origin of GHETTO
Italian, from Venetian dialect ghèto island where Jews were forced to live, literally, foundry (located on the island), from ghetàr to cast, from Latin jactare to throw — more at jet
2ghetto
verb
GHETTO[1] Defined for Kids
ghetto
noun ghet·to \ˈge-tō\
plural ghettos or ghettoes
Definition of GHETTO for Kids
: a part of a city in which members of a particular group live in poor conditions
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