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
These items include but are limited to inquiring about regulatory licenses and compliance records, completed third-party audits or at least attestations, cold storage procedures and controls, insurance coverage and limits, and evidence of client asset segregation.
—
Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024
The couple fought segregation laws that redrew boundary lines to cut directly through their town.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024
The gifted program segregation problem Beyond the emotional challenges gifted kids tend to face into adulthood, there’s a heated debate about whether gifted programs in schools should exist.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Aug. 2024
Another key disparity that persists is the issue of occupational segregation: Many jobs are still disproportionately held by Black or Hispanic workers, Julia Pollak, chief economist with ZipRecruiter, told CNN via email.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for segregation 
Sean Stein Smith, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024
The couple fought segregation laws that redrew boundary lines to cut directly through their town.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2024
The gifted program segregation problem Beyond the emotional challenges gifted kids tend to face into adulthood, there’s a heated debate about whether gifted programs in schools should exist.
—Constance Grady, Vox, 14 Aug. 2024
Another key disparity that persists is the issue of occupational segregation: Many jobs are still disproportionately held by Black or Hispanic workers, Julia Pollak, chief economist with ZipRecruiter, told CNN via email.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 4 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for segregation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'segregation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 25 Sep. 2024.
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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