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
The latest work examined the internal arrangement and segregation of the reactor system, shielding requirements, and the impact on cargo deck layout and vehicle capacity, alongside stability and trim implications linked to the reactor’s weight and positioning.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
These housing communities were largely underfunded, poorly maintained and often exacerbated issues of racial and economic segregation in American cities.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
Black sharecroppers and farm workers used music to process segregation, deep poverty and systemic violence.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Suspended and then expelled from FIFA due to the country’s racial segregation under apartheid rule, South Africa’s teams did not play official matches for three decades before finally returning to the international stage in 1992.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
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.
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
These housing communities were largely underfunded, poorly maintained and often exacerbated issues of racial and economic segregation in American cities.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
Black sharecroppers and farm workers used music to process segregation, deep poverty and systemic violence.
—Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026
Suspended and then expelled from FIFA due to the country’s racial segregation under apartheid rule, South Africa’s teams did not play official matches for three decades before finally returning to the international stage in 1992.
—Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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
