affirmative action
noun
: the use of policies, legislation, programs, and procedures to improve the educational or employment opportunities of members of certain demographic groups (such as minority groups, women, and older people) as a remedy to the effects of long-standing discrimination against such groups
Note: Affirmative action gives limited preference to qualified groups (which may include racial and ethnic minorities, women, older people, people with disabilities, and some veterans) in job hiring, admission to institutions of higher education, the awarding of government contracts, and other social benefits.
The term affirmative action was … used in an executive order issued by President Johnson in 1965, which banned all federal contractors and subcontractors, as well as unions involved in federal work, from practicing employment discrimination.—
Michael L. Levine
Michael L. LevineUnlike previous measures, such as the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965, which prohibited discrimination, the goal of affirmative action was to adopt a proactive approach to redressing past discrimination. It goes beyond the prohibition of overtly racist practices by requiring employers, public contractors, and college admissions officers to cast a wider net in their searches for qualified workers and students through active recruitment of racial minorities.—Shirley J. Yee et al.
Shirley J. Yee et al.Examples of affirmative action in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Too much of the program is made up of tedious movies by beloved Cannes veterans — essentially affirmative action for auteurs.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
An open preference for male employees in hiring, promotion, and pay awards—in other words, affirmative action for men.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
The high court's 2023 decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions has also put employers on notice that their diversity programs would be next in the bull’s eye.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 14 May 2026
This all accelerated with the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for affirmative action
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Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2026
An open preference for male employees in hiring, promotion, and pay awards—in other words, affirmative action for men.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
The high court's 2023 decision striking down affirmative action in college admissions has also put employers on notice that their diversity programs would be next in the bull’s eye.
—Ken Alltucker, USA Today, 14 May 2026
This all accelerated with the 2023 Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
—Miami Herald, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for affirmative action
Cite this Entry
“Affirmative action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmative%20action. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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