First used in Venice in 1516 for the island where Jewish residents were legally confined — probably named for the copper foundry ('ghèto') that had operated there — 'ghetto' became the global term for enforced urban segregation, traveling from a specific Venetian decree to a concept shaping urban policy, civil rights discourse, and lived experience worldwide.
Originally, a designated urban quarter where Jewish people were legally compelled to reside; subsequently, any segregated urban area occupied by a minority group, often characterized by poverty and overcrowding.
First used for the Jewish quarter of Venice, established by decree on 29 March 1516 — the first legally mandated urban Jewish ghetto in Europe. The etymology is disputed: the most widely accepted theory derives the word from Venetian 'ghèto' (foundry), as there was a copper foundry (geto) on the island where Jews were confined. Alternative proposals include derivation from Italian 'borghetto' (little borough, diminutive of 'borgo') or, less plausibly, from Hebrew 'get' (a bill of divorce
The Venice ghetto gave its name to an institution, and the island on which it stood was actually called the 'Ghetto Nuovo' (New Foundry) — the Jews were confined to the newer of two foundry islands, the 'Ghetto Vecchio' (Old Foundry) being added later as the Jewish population grew. The very geography of industrial Venice became the geography of segregation.