desegregation

noun

de·​seg·​re·​ga·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce desegregation (audio)
1
: the state of being desegregated
2
: the action or an instance of desegregating

Examples of desegregation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Furthering desegregation In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which barred racial segregation in public schools, the old 5th Circuit compiled a courageous record in promoting civil rights. Jonathan Entin, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2024 Even before the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, Bell filed a case against the Gaston County Board of Education to end segregation at Hunter Huss High School. Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024 The future Mendez Freedom Trail along Hoover St. will include interactive signs noting the history behind the desegregation case in OC schools. Victoria Ivie, Orange County Register, 31 Jan. 2024 The 5th Circuit even held the governor and lieutenant governor of Mississippi in contempt of court for defying desegregation orders in 1962. Jonathan Entin, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2024 President Eisenhower sent the federal National Guard to enforce the desegregation of the Little Rock schools. Erwin Chemerinsky, The Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2024 The 66th Anniversary of the Little Rock Nine in Photos Brown-Trickey lamented that the history of the desegregation crisis isn't more extensively taught. Josh Snyder, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2023 The two schools were built at the same time and opened to students in August 2019, at a time when the district was obligated in the federal desegregation lawsuit to equalize the condition of its school buildings. Cynthia Howell, arkansasonline.com, 23 Jan. 2024 Members of the Little Rock Nine speaking to high school seniors on the 66th anniversary of the Little Rock Central High desegregation crisis criticized legislation passed in Arkansas and across the nation that restricts what can be taught in public school classrooms. Josh Snyder, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'desegregation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of desegregation was in 1931

Dictionary Entries Near desegregation

Cite this Entry

“Desegregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/desegregation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

desegregation

noun
de·​seg·​re·​ga·​tion dē-ˌse-grə-ˈgā-shən How to pronounce desegregation (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of desegregating
2
: the state of being desegregated

More from Merriam-Webster on desegregation

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