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
Specifically, in what’s known as a founder effect, a small subset of the surviving population branched off to form its own colony, increasing the segregation of fall-spawning and spring-spawning sturgeon.
—
Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
The white minority in South Africa established and perpetuated a culture of apartheid in South Africa for over 40 years until the early 1990s, resulting in systematic oppression, political domination, segregation and discrimination against the predominantly Black population.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Apartheid, a system of legalized segregation, deprived the majority of citizens of basic rights and forced many Black South Africans to live in ethnic Bantustans.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Sensual, packing some extraordinary visuals, a protest film anticipating state-run segregation of the old.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
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Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
The white minority in South Africa established and perpetuated a culture of apartheid in South Africa for over 40 years until the early 1990s, resulting in systematic oppression, political domination, segregation and discrimination against the predominantly Black population.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Apartheid, a system of legalized segregation, deprived the majority of citizens of basic rights and forced many Black South Africans to live in ethnic Bantustans.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Sensual, packing some extraordinary visuals, a protest film anticipating state-run segregation of the old.
—John Hopewell, Variety, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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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