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affirmative action

noun

Definition of affirmative action

:an active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups and women
  • sought to achieve a multicultural staff through affirmative action
; also :a similar effort to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged persons

See affirmative action defined for English-language learners

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First Known Use of affirmative action

1961

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION Defined for English Language Learners

affirmative action

noun

Definition of affirmative action for English Language Learners

  • : the practice of improving the educational and job opportunities of members of groups that have not been treated fairly in the past because of their race, sex, etc.

Law Dictionary

affirmative action

noun

legal Definition of affirmative action

:an active effort (as through legislation) to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups or women

Learn More about affirmative action

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about affirmative action

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