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
Verbatim Zora Neale Hurston In a controversial letter, the versatile author expressed frustration with critics of segregation.
—
JSTOR Daily, 3 Oct. 2025
The district previously applied for the grant in 2020 but was denied in part due to its lack of effort in reducing segregation in magnet programs.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Segregation and self-censorship The first ingredient of a moral panic is the segregation of a society into at least two groups with limited contact between them and an unwillingness to learn from one another.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Known as the Harlem of the West, the Douglas Hotel was complete with the Creole Palace nightclub where Black performers in the 1930s and ’40s could perform during the years of segregation.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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JSTOR Daily, 3 Oct. 2025
The district previously applied for the grant in 2020 but was denied in part due to its lack of effort in reducing segregation in magnet programs.
—Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025
Segregation and self-censorship The first ingredient of a moral panic is the segregation of a society into at least two groups with limited contact between them and an unwillingness to learn from one another.
—Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Known as the Harlem of the West, the Douglas Hotel was complete with the Creole Palace nightclub where Black performers in the 1930s and ’40s could perform during the years of segregation.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 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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