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
Report cites segregation in Massachusetts schools A 2024 state advisory council report found that 63% of all schools in Massachusetts are segregated or intensely segregated, and that the state education department had fallen short in its oversight duties.
—
Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Other recent examples of state-level litigation also have focused on addressing residential segregation.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
The United States provided $13.3 billion to Europeans over a four-year period.
1956: A federal court ruled that racial segregation on city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
—USA Today, 19 May 2026
The club was a vibrant social and cultural hub for Black residents, acting as a cornerstone of nightlife throughout the era of segregation and after.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
Other recent examples of state-level litigation also have focused on addressing residential segregation.
—ABC News, 20 May 2026
The United States provided $13.3 billion to Europeans over a four-year period.
1956: A federal court ruled that racial segregation on city buses in Montgomery, Alabama, violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
—USA Today, 19 May 2026
The club was a vibrant social and cultural hub for Black residents, acting as a cornerstone of nightlife throughout the era of segregation and after.
—Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 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 23 May. 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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