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
Synonyms
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
In July 1948, when President Harry S. Truman signed the executive order ending segregation in the military, Leftenant-Colon saw it as an opportunity to get regular status in the Army Nurse Corps, something that eluded her until then because of her race.
—
Cheryl W. Thompson, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
However, when the effects of wealth gaps and school segregation are accounted for, test score gaps substantially narrow.
—Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
Carter worked the land throughout the Great Depression, but it was owned by the elder Carter, who employed the surrounding Black tenant farmers in the era of Jim Crow segregation.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
At the time, de facto segregation was in place in the private aviation sector.
—Doug Melville, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for segregation 
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Cheryl W. Thompson, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
However, when the effects of wealth gaps and school segregation are accounted for, test score gaps substantially narrow.
—Shoumita Dasgupta, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2025
Carter worked the land throughout the Great Depression, but it was owned by the elder Carter, who employed the surrounding Black tenant farmers in the era of Jim Crow segregation.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
At the time, de facto segregation was in place in the private aviation sector.
—Doug Melville, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for segregation
Dictionary Entries Near segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 2 Feb. 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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