Ethnicity refers to a shared cultural heritage, which can include shared language, customs, traditions, and history. It is often used to describe groups of people who share common ancestry, though it can also refer to groups that share common cultural practices, regardless of whether they have a shared genetic heritage. Some examples of ethnic groups include people of African, European, Asian, or Indigenous descent. Ethnicity can also be defined by national origin, such as Mexican or Chinese, or by religious heritage, like Jewish or Muslim.