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
Men who proclaimed segregation today, segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever.
—
Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Toxic soil, shadow-casting towers, and architectural segregation (with luxury renters assigned different buildings) — all are baked into the plan.
—Layla Law-Gisiko, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The order directed the district to take steps to prevent segregation in areas such as assignment of students and teachers to schools, bus transportation and school construction.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2025
Toxic soil, shadow-casting towers, and architectural segregation (with luxury renters assigned different buildings) — all are baked into the plan.
—Layla Law-Gisiko, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2025
Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.
—Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
The order directed the district to take steps to prevent segregation in areas such as assignment of students and teachers to schools, bus transportation and school construction.
—Jim Saunders, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 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 24 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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