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
Sanitary landfills are intended only for residual waste that cannot be reused, recycled, processed, or recovered, and higher user fees are prescribed for unsegregated waste to motivate proper segregation and treatment.
—
Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
In the Jazz Age, the culture and the style that Bradley was soaking up every night were information that white performers craved, but which racial segregation impeded them from accessing.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
The map would use Troost Avenue, a historic symbol of racial segregation in Kansas City, as the dividing line between the 4th and 5th Districts.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Southern’s new policy instituted segregation curtains in their dining cars.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 May 2026
In the Jazz Age, the culture and the style that Bradley was soaking up every night were information that white performers craved, but which racial segregation impeded them from accessing.
—Brian Seibert, New Yorker, 13 May 2026
The map would use Troost Avenue, a historic symbol of racial segregation in Kansas City, as the dividing line between the 4th and 5th Districts.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
Southern’s new policy instituted segregation curtains in their dining cars.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 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 16 May. 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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