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
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 park spotlights the historic court case that ended public school segregation in the United States.
—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
At the center of that legacy is the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, where generations of Black entrepreneurs, musicians and residents built a thriving cultural and business community during segregation.
—
J.m. Banks
june 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
Many of the devices employed during segregation, such as poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, were superficially race-neutral.
—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
Johnson Beach on Perdido Key’s east end, once a refuge for Black residents during the segregation era, is particularly worthy of a visit.
—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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show current usage.
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Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
At the center of that legacy is the Historic 18th and Vine Jazz District, where generations of Black entrepreneurs, musicians and residents built a thriving cultural and business community during segregation.
—
J.m. Banks
june 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 June 2026
Many of the devices employed during segregation, such as poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, were superficially race-neutral.
—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
27 June 2026
Johnson Beach on Perdido Key’s east end, once a refuge for Black residents during the segregation era, is particularly worthy of a visit.
—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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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