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
Educational gains are also on the chopping block with the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to outlaw affirmative action in college admissions.
—Essence, 19 June 2025
Educators contend that affirmative action programs are important to overcoming a historical pattern in which minorities have been under-represented in higher education.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
The Supreme Court’s 1978 Bakke decision invalidated racial quotas at the University of California, but held that affirmative action was constitutional, and experts have long since acknowledged that racial diversity fosters a wider range of viewpoints.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Harvard University’s admissions policies to ensure the measures comply with the 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action ruling, according to the university, in the latest investigation after Harvard defied the Trump administration.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for affirmative action
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Essence, 19 June 2025
Educators contend that affirmative action programs are important to overcoming a historical pattern in which minorities have been under-represented in higher education.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
The Supreme Court’s 1978 Bakke decision invalidated racial quotas at the University of California, but held that affirmative action was constitutional, and experts have long since acknowledged that racial diversity fosters a wider range of viewpoints.
—Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating Harvard University’s admissions policies to ensure the measures comply with the 2023 Supreme Court affirmative action ruling, according to the university, in the latest investigation after Harvard defied the Trump administration.
—Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 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 3 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share