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
The law ended segregation, extended lives and improved public education.
—
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 30 June 2024
But even after the amendment was ratified, Jim Crow laws, segregation and racial violence prevented Black Americans from gaining equality.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 29 June 2024
Thirteen years after Brown v. Board of Education formally outlawed segregation in schools, Alabama still adhered to Jim Crow laws and attitudes during Jackson’s time in the city.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
The film explored the origins of the blues in the Mississippi Delta and the ways that the genre was inextricably linked to the institutions of slavery and segregation before entering mainstream American culture.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for segregation 
Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY, 30 June 2024
But even after the amendment was ratified, Jim Crow laws, segregation and racial violence prevented Black Americans from gaining equality.
—Nicquel Terry Ellis, CNN, 29 June 2024
Thirteen years after Brown v. Board of Education formally outlawed segregation in schools, Alabama still adhered to Jim Crow laws and attitudes during Jackson’s time in the city.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 20 June 2024
The film explored the origins of the blues in the Mississippi Delta and the ways that the genre was inextricably linked to the institutions of slavery and segregation before entering mainstream American culture.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 June 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 15 Jul. 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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