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
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
The city integrated, but block-by-block segregation kept white and Black residents apart.
—
Calvin Schermerhorn, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Since 1869, segregation in Detroit public schools had been outlawed by the state’s Supreme Court.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Democratic lawmaker likens trans sports bans to racial segregation
Washington Democratic state Rep. Kristine Reeves compared legislation banning trans athletes from women’s sports to racial segregation during a state House Education Committee session.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
On March 30, 1931, Superior Court Judge Claude Chambers handed down a decision that the Lemon Grove School Board was wrong to create a separate elementary school for Mexican American students, an early victory against school segregation.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Calvin Schermerhorn, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2025
Since 1869, segregation in Detroit public schools had been outlawed by the state’s Supreme Court.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Democratic lawmaker likens trans sports bans to racial segregation
Washington Democratic state Rep. Kristine Reeves compared legislation banning trans athletes from women’s sports to racial segregation during a state House Education Committee session.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Mar. 2025
On March 30, 1931, Superior Court Judge Claude Chambers handed down a decision that the Lemon Grove School Board was wrong to create a separate elementary school for Mexican American students, an early victory against school segregation.
—Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 19 Apr. 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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