eugenics

noun

eu·​gen·​ics yü-ˈje-niks 

plural in form but singular in construction

: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the populations' genetic composition

In 1883 Francis Galton, in England, coined the term "eugenics" to encompass the idea of modification of natural selection through selective breeding for the improvement of humankind …

—Jeremiah A. Barondess

A half-century ago, eugenics became associated with Hitler, genocide and master-race theories, and its reputation has never recovered.

—Dan Seligman

After the Second World War, "eugenics" became a word to be hedged with caveats in Britain and virtually a dirty word in the United States, where it had long been identified with racism.

—Daniel J. Kevles

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eugenics

• calisthenics
• cryogenics
• schizophrenics
• lennox

Kids Definition

eugenics

noun

eu·​gen·​ics yu̇-ˈjen-iks 

: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations to improve the population's genetic composition

Medical Definition

eugenics

noun, plural in form but singular in construction

eu·​gen·​ics yu̇-ˈjen-iks 

: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the populations' genetic composition