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
All these simmering tensions converge in Denis’s unpredictable and intimate film, with which the French director returns to the subjects of colonialism and racial segregation so central to her unparalleled filmography.
—
Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
And the lack of affordable housing exacerbates racial and economic segregation, too.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Since then, Black families have bought homes and created a community centered around the town of Oak Bluffs and Inkwell Beach, a name that is a nod to the segregation on the island in the past.
—Frank Holland, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Although the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, ruling declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional, Austin was still ordered by a federal judge in 1971 to bus children across town to desegregate its schools — a practice that continued until 1986.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025
And the lack of affordable housing exacerbates racial and economic segregation, too.
—David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2025
Since then, Black families have bought homes and created a community centered around the town of Oak Bluffs and Inkwell Beach, a name that is a nod to the segregation on the island in the past.
—Frank Holland, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2025
Although the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, ruling declared racial segregation in schools unconstitutional, Austin was still ordered by a federal judge in 1971 to bus children across town to desegregate its schools — a practice that continued until 1986.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 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 19 Aug. 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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