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
They were found guilty and released from segregation on March 10, 2021.
—
ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Born out of wedlock to a teenage mom, growing up under the oppressive cloud of segregation, confined to schools, sports facilities, movie theaters that were separate and unequal.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
For decades, the phrase has symbolized the mythos of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency — and drawn criticism for glossing over parts of its history tied to racial violence and segregation.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
These include annual independent audits, board-level financial oversight, segregation of duties, compliance monitoring and federal reporting safeguards.
—Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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ABC News, 9 Mar. 2026
Born out of wedlock to a teenage mom, growing up under the oppressive cloud of segregation, confined to schools, sports facilities, movie theaters that were separate and unequal.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
For decades, the phrase has symbolized the mythos of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency — and drawn criticism for glossing over parts of its history tied to racial violence and segregation.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
These include annual independent audits, board-level financial oversight, segregation of duties, compliance monitoring and federal reporting safeguards.
—Helen Amos, Baltimore Sun, 1 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 11 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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