1. a section of a city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups.
Usage: often used historically to refer to areas where Jewish people were forced to live; modern usage refers to economically disadvantaged urban neighborhoods
2. a place or situation in which a group of people is isolated or confined.
Usage: figurative use

Examples

• Many families lived in the ghetto during the early 20th century.
• The historic ghetto in Venice is one of the oldest in Europe.
• Urban renewal projects aimed to improve conditions in the city's ghettos.
• She felt trapped in a ghetto of low expectations.
• The neighborhood was once considered a ghetto but has undergone significant development.
• Economic barriers can create a ghetto effect that limits opportunities for residents.