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
Despite facing racial segregation and discrimination, Allen became the first in her family to finish high school and was one of the first Black women to graduate from Nazareth College.
—
Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
The existence of food deserts in the area, according to the report, is shaped by a number of factors, from historic ones like segregation and redlining to modern-day cuts to SNAP food assistance.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Advertisement In her new roles, McKinley galvanized Black women across the country with a focus on challenging segregation, unfair labor practices, and unequal housing.
—Time, 22 Sep. 2025
To embrace nativism in a global, connected economic world is to sacrifice prosperity for the sake of exclusion, just as the main effect of racial segregation in the American South was to leave the region impoverished and underdeveloped.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
The existence of food deserts in the area, according to the report, is shaped by a number of factors, from historic ones like segregation and redlining to modern-day cuts to SNAP food assistance.
—Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
Advertisement In her new roles, McKinley galvanized Black women across the country with a focus on challenging segregation, unfair labor practices, and unequal housing.
—Time, 22 Sep. 2025
To embrace nativism in a global, connected economic world is to sacrifice prosperity for the sake of exclusion, just as the main effect of racial segregation in the American South was to leave the region impoverished and underdeveloped.
—Jamelle Bouie, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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
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