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
The plaintiff has a track record of legal success, most notably the landmark Supreme Court case that struck down affirmative action in higher education.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Trump has even an executive order from President Lyndon B. Johnson that established affirmative action in the federal government.
—Casey Ryan, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Sullivan told senators that his bill is line with President Trump's executive order to eliminate affirmative action.
—Michael R. Wickline, arkansasonline.com, 29 Jan. 2025
In recent weeks, companies including Meta, Ford, McDonald's and Walmart have ended their DEI programs, decisions that follow the 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions, as well as pressure from conservative political activists.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
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Dan Primack, Axios, 6 Feb. 2025
Trump has even an executive order from President Lyndon B. Johnson that established affirmative action in the federal government.
—Casey Ryan, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025
Sullivan told senators that his bill is line with President Trump's executive order to eliminate affirmative action.
—Michael R. Wickline, arkansasonline.com, 29 Jan. 2025
In recent weeks, companies including Meta, Ford, McDonald's and Walmart have ended their DEI programs, decisions that follow the 2023 Supreme Court decision banning affirmative action in college admissions, as well as pressure from conservative political activists.
—CBS News, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for affirmative action
Dictionary Entries Near affirmative action
Cite this Entry
“Affirmative action.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affirmative%20action. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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