segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən 
1
: the act or process of segregating : the state of being segregated
2
a
: the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discriminatory means
b
: the separation for special treatment or observation of individuals or items from a larger group
segregation of gifted children into accelerated classes
3
: the separation of allelic genes that occurs typically during meiosis
Examples of segregation in a Sentence
They fought to end the segregation of public schools.
the segregation of men and women
Recent Examples on the Web
What to do: Build your team now: —Commercial broker
—Real estate attorney
—CPA or tax strategist
—Cost segregation firm
—Lender or SBA contact
Deals that close smoothly in December started planning in August.
—
Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Occupational segregation is a significant roadblock to equal pay for Black women.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Administrative Oversight and Anti-Abuse Provisions The bill includes several regulatory safeguards, authorizing the Treasury Secretary to issue guidance on wallet segregation, mixed-transaction treatment, basis adjustments, and broker reporting.
—Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Carlen’s own work in St. Louis examines how racial segregation and urban design, often influenced by policing strategies, affect ecological conditions and wild animals’ access to green spaces.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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.
Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 12 July 2025
Occupational segregation is a significant roadblock to equal pay for Black women.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
Administrative Oversight and Anti-Abuse Provisions The bill includes several regulatory safeguards, authorizing the Treasury Secretary to issue guidance on wallet segregation, mixed-transaction treatment, basis adjustments, and broker reporting.
—Tonya M. Evans, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
Carlen’s own work in St. Louis examines how racial segregation and urban design, often influenced by policing strategies, affect ecological conditions and wild animals’ access to green spaces.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌseg-ri-ˈgā-shən
1
: the act or process of segregating : the state of being segregated
2
: the separation or isolation of a race, class, or group (as by restriction to an area or by separate schools)
Medical Definition
segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌseg-ri-ˈgā-shən
: the separation of allelic genes that occurs typically during meiosis
Legal Definition
segregation
noun
seg·re·ga·tion
ˌse-gri-ˈgā-shən
1
: separation of individuals or groups and especially racial groups compare desegregation
—
de facto segregation
: segregation of racial groups that arises as a result of economic, social, or other factors rather than by operation or enforcement of laws or other official state action
—
de jure segregation
: segregation intended or mandated by law or otherwise intentionally arising from state action
Note: De jure segregation is illegal.
2
: separate confinement of prisoners within a penal institution
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share