eugenics
noun, plural in form but singular in constructioneu·gen·ics | \ yü-ˈje-niks 
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\Definition of eugenics
: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the population's genetic composition
In 1883 Francis Galton, in England, coined the term "eugenics" to encompass the idea of modification of natural selection through selective breeding for the improvement of humankind …— Jeremiah A. Barondess A half-century ago, eugenics became associated with Hitler, genocide and master-race theories, and its reputation has never recovered.— Dan Seligman After the Second World War, "eugenics" became a word to be hedged with caveats in Britain and virtually a dirty word in the United States, where it had long been identified with racism.— Daniel J. Kevles The new advocates of biotechnology speak approvingly of what they term "free-market eugenics."— Dinesh D'Souza
Examples of eugenics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web But in recent years, public support for eugenics has made a comeback.
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Adam Cohen, Star Tribune, "As Trump demonstrated in Bemidji, eugenics is making a comeback," 20 Oct. 2020 Berkeley’s announcement comes as campuses across the nation are stepping up efforts to repudiate those who promoted eugenics, including high-profile university leaders, amid the nation’s intensifying racial justice movement.
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Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Essential California: Dodgers claim victory after 31-year drought," 28 Oct. 2020 Theodore Roosevelt was a wealthy imperialist who sang the glories of war and of eugenics.
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Kevin Baker, Harper's Magazine, "You Say You Want a Revolution," 27 Oct. 2020 There is reason to believe the eugenics movement will continue to grow.
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Adam Cohen, Star Tribune, "As Trump demonstrated in Bemidji, eugenics is making a comeback," 20 Oct. 2020 The popular narratives about race have often been tied to differences in physical health and intelligence, as Molina noted after an audience member asked about the role of eugenics in shaping these stories.
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Tara Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Long History of Blaming Immigrants in Times of Sickness," 19 Oct. 2020 One of the organization’s New York affiliates removed the organization’s founder’s name, Margaret Sanger, from one of its buildings this summer for her connection to eugenics.
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Emma Colton, Washington Examiner, "'Reckoning': Planned Parenthood audit finds dozens of black employees encounter instances of racism from white colleagues," 11 Oct. 2020 The committee report recommended IU find ways to acknowledge Jordan's ties to eugenics and history with IU as a way to continue educating about his past.
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Lydia Gerike, The Indianapolis Star, "IU is changing buildings, landmarks named for a eugenicist. Here's what the community says," 29 Sep. 2020 The philosophy fell out of favor after Nazis adopted eugenics to support exterminating non-Aryan races.
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Politifact Staff, Detroit Free Press, "Republican National Convention 2020: Fact-checking the second night," 26 Aug. 2020
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eugenics.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for eugenics
eugenics
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of eugenics
: a science that tries to improve the human race by controlling which people become parents
eugenics
noun, plural in form but singular in constructioneu·gen·ics | \ yu̇-ˈjen-iks \
\Medical Definition of eugenics
: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the population's genetic composition
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Time Traveler for eugenics
The first known use of eugenics was in 1883
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