"Approved" by who? You don't see the inherent power in creating an '"approved" definition - being able to decide what something does and does not include? An "approved definition" is inevitably based on the biases and interests of those creating it and is not in any way an objective process. This really does do a great job of addressing that very issue, please do take some time to read it: http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/03/dictionary-definition-racism/ To the point of debating definitions and change them as we see fit - we can, we do, and we have throughout history done exactly that. An innocuous example would be the word "cool". Original definition in regards to temperature, now also commonly used to describe something that's good and/or pleasing. If you pay any attention to the OED, since that seems to be your reference, you'll notice that even they are constantly updating their dictionary, not only adding new words as they come into common usage, but updating definitions as times change. Even the definition you referenced makes a point of noting how the definition has changed over time: "Originally: the state or condition of belonging to the male or female sex; categorization or reference on the basis of sex (now rare); (in later use) prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex." If it can have one meaning that's now rare, and another in later use, there is certainly room for continued change. Some of us are just getting there faster than others.