caste

/kæst/
noun
  1. A social class or system in which people are born into a particular group and have limited ability to move to another group, especially in traditional Hindu society.
    • The ancient caste system divided society into priests, warriors, merchants, and laborers.
    • In some parts of India, a person's caste still affects their job opportunities.
    • She wrote a book about how caste influences marriage choices in rural communities.
  2. Any rigid social hierarchy or group that is separated from others by status, wealth, or privilege.
    • In some countries, the wealthy live in a separate caste, rarely interacting with the poor.
    • The entertainment industry has its own caste of famous actors and directors.
    • He felt trapped by the social caste of his small town, where everyone knew his family's history.
What does "caste" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean