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
They were born and raised in the South during segregation.
—
Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
The company has identified a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting, specifically inadequate segregation of duties.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Jan. 2025
This caught the attention of officials at Bob Jones University and Jerry Falwell, who had opened his own segregation academy in 1967.
—Randall Balmer, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2025
Experts have long attributed homicides and other violent crimes as disproportionately affecting those facing problems such as poverty, segregation and limited opportunity, all factors exacerbated during that period.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for segregation 
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Chicago Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025
The company has identified a material weakness in its internal controls over financial reporting, specifically inadequate segregation of duties.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 7 Jan. 2025
This caught the attention of officials at Bob Jones University and Jerry Falwell, who had opened his own segregation academy in 1967.
—Randall Balmer, The Mercury News, 2 Jan. 2025
Experts have long attributed homicides and other violent crimes as disproportionately affecting those facing problems such as poverty, segregation and limited opportunity, all factors exacerbated during that period.
—David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024
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 20 Jan. 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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