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
Most summaries of Black history follow a chronological arc —slavery, segregation, civil rights, with protest and oppression as the primary through-line.
—
Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
The Chicago Housing Authority practiced racial segregation by locating most of its public housing in poor neighborhoods, a federal judge ruled in a suit brought by the ACLU three years prior.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Owing partly to the legacy of segregation, the country never developed a universal health-insurance program, and maintains a fragmented health-care system in which both class and race still dictate much of a patient’s access to care.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Throw in the background of the South in post-World War II and that ups the segregation and racial divide.
—Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 10 Feb. 2026
The Chicago Housing Authority practiced racial segregation by locating most of its public housing in poor neighborhoods, a federal judge ruled in a suit brought by the ACLU three years prior.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Owing partly to the legacy of segregation, the country never developed a universal health-insurance program, and maintains a fragmented health-care system in which both class and race still dictate much of a patient’s access to care.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026
Throw in the background of the South in post-World War II and that ups the segregation and racial divide.
—Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 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
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