affirmative action
noun
: the use of policies, legislation, programs, and procedures to improve the educational or employment opportunities of members of certain demographic groups (such as minority groups, women, and older people) as a remedy to the effects of long-standing discrimination against such groups
Note: Affirmative action gives limited preference to qualified groups (which may include racial and ethnic minorities, women, older people, people with disabilities, and some veterans) in job hiring, admission to institutions of higher education, the awarding of government contracts, and other social benefits.
The term affirmative action was … used in an executive order issued by President Johnson in 1965, which banned all federal contractors and subcontractors, as well as unions involved in federal work, from practicing employment discrimination.—
Michael L. Levine
Michael L. LevineUnlike previous measures, such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, which prohibited discrimination, the goal of affirmative action was to adopt a proactive approach to redressing past discrimination. It goes beyond the prohibition of overtly racist practices by requiring employers, public contractors, and college admissions officers to cast a wider net in their searches for qualified workers and students through active recruitment of racial minorities.—Shirley J. Yee et al.
Shirley J. Yee et al.Examples of affirmative action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
To be sure, Barrett has played a key part in dramatic rightward shifts in American law, voting to overrule Roe v. Wade, end affirmative action, limit the power of federal agencies, and expand the rights of gun owners.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
Blum has long fought to end affirmative action, not just in public and private universities but also at military academies.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
After California voters passed Proposition 13 in 1978 to limit property taxes — and later Proposition 209 in 1996 banning affirmative action — Democrats sought ways to blunt or undo their impact through legislation and legal challenges.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 30 May 2025
Already, some opposition leaders are calling to remove the 50% cap on affirmative action quotas, and to implement affirmative action in other institutions like private companies and the judiciary – controversial proposals that have prompted online firestorms.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
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Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
Blum has long fought to end affirmative action, not just in public and private universities but also at military academies.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 16 June 2025
After California voters passed Proposition 13 in 1978 to limit property taxes — and later Proposition 209 in 1996 banning affirmative action — Democrats sought ways to blunt or undo their impact through legislation and legal challenges.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 30 May 2025
Already, some opposition leaders are calling to remove the 50% cap on affirmative action quotas, and to implement affirmative action in other institutions like private companies and the judiciary – controversial proposals that have prompted online firestorms.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for affirmative action
Cite this Entry
“Affirmative action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmative%20action. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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