segregation

noun

seg·​re·​ga·​tion ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce segregation (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Chicago, those numbers play out against a backdrop of profound racial and economic segregation. Marisa Novara, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025 During a time of segregation that was merely 34 years since the Emancipation Proclamation but still nearly 70 before the Civil Rights Act, Fuller’s prevailing and obtaining his medical doctorate is a remarkable achievement. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 27 Feb. 2025 That includes information technology issues, a lack of documentation over manual journal entries and insufficient controls to address segregation of staff duties. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2025 In her thorough, compelling summary of the 41-day trial, Adams shows how the plaintiffs painstakingly established that school segregation was primarily a result of residential segregation. Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for segregation

Word History

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of segregation was in 1555

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

segregation

noun
seg·​re·​ga·​tion ˌseg-ri-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce segregation (audio)
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 How to pronounce segregation (audio)
: the separation of allelic genes that occurs typically during meiosis

Legal Definition

segregation

noun
seg·​re·​ga·​tion ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce segregation (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on segregation

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