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 of segregation

• solitude
• isolation
• privacy
• loneliness

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

These include annual independent audits, board-level financial oversight, segregation of duties, compliance monitoring and federal reporting safeguards. —Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026

Jackson played football at Sterling High School in Greenville, and famously protested library segregation with a group known as the Greenville Eight. —Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026

San Jose Unified has faced segregation concerns in the past. —Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026

While both West Indians and Afro Panamanians were subjected to segregation and police brutality, the Americans running the Canal Zone tended to treat the English-speaking West Indians better. —Brendan Frizzell, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing segregation

• anti-segregation
• law of segregation

Rhymes for segregation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids 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