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 prize is named after Atlanta’s 51st mayor, a businessman who argued that Atlanta could not be economically successful under racial segregation.
—
Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Overtown’s history of hosting musicians like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald during segregation captivated Samuelsson.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Their ancestors started the ride during segregation nearly 70 years earlier, when the first group of seven Black cowboys needed an armed guard at trail’s end to enter Memorial Park.
—Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Chavez seemed like the right man at the right moment as Mexican Americans rose up like never before to battle discrimination and segregation.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Overtown’s history of hosting musicians like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald during segregation captivated Samuelsson.
—Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
Their ancestors started the ride during segregation nearly 70 years earlier, when the first group of seven Black cowboys needed an armed guard at trail’s end to enter Memorial Park.
—Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026
Chavez seemed like the right man at the right moment as Mexican Americans rose up like never before to battle discrimination and segregation.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 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 29 Mar. 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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