segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən 
1
: the act or process of segregating : the state of being segregated
2
a
: the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discriminatory means
b
: the separation for special treatment or observation of individuals or items from a larger group
segregation of gifted children into accelerated classes
3
: the separation of allelic genes that occurs typically during meiosis
Synonyms
Examples of segregation in a Sentence
They fought to end the segregation of public schools.
the segregation of men and women
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas, who leads his own bus tours that aim to fight segregation in Chicago, said many histories of the city ignore its rich Islamic traditions.
—
Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Lake Avenue, which bifurcates the two into east and west, had historically been a de facto segregation line preventing families of color from purchasing properties east of Lake Avenue.
—Jireh Deng, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation under an all-white government that ruled South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
There is a big disconnect with those living in the inner city and don’t have access to the beach.
— David Mesfin
In the early 1900s, Los Angeles beaches reflected the rigid racial segregation of the time.
—Natalie Preddie, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for segregation 
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Ahmed Ali Akbar, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Lake Avenue, which bifurcates the two into east and west, had historically been a de facto segregation line preventing families of color from purchasing properties east of Lake Avenue.
—Jireh Deng, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
Apartheid was a system of racial segregation under an all-white government that ruled South Africa from 1948 to 1994.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025
There is a big disconnect with those living in the inner city and don’t have access to the beach.
— David Mesfin
In the early 1900s, Los Angeles beaches reflected the rigid racial segregation of the time.
—Natalie Preddie, Travel + Leisure, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for segregation
Dictionary Entries Near segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌseg-ri-ˈgā-shən
1
: the act or process of segregating : the state of being segregated
2
: the separation or isolation of a race, class, or group (as by restriction to an area or by separate schools)
Medical Definition
segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌseg-ri-ˈgā-shən
: the separation of allelic genes that occurs typically during meiosis
Legal Definition
segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən
1
: separation of individuals or groups and especially racial groups compare desegregation
—
de facto segregation
: segregation of racial groups that arises as a result of economic, social, or other factors rather than by operation or enforcement of laws or other official state action
—
de jure segregation
: segregation intended or mandated by law or otherwise intentionally arising from state action
Note: De jure segregation is illegal.
2
: separate confinement of prisoners within a penal institution
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