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
Scott was a pioneering Black lawmaker David Albert Scott was born in rural Aynor, South Carolina, on June 27, 1945, in the era of Jim Crow segregation. —
Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026 Partners Waste Management and Stericycle conduct educational programs for families and visitors on segregation of waste. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was placed in segregation upon his arrival at the facility because of his celebrity status, according to TMZ. —Jessica Schaldebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 During segregation, this was one of the properties where Black travelers could spend the night, and King often stayed at the motel when in Memphis. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for segregation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bill Barrow, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2026 Partners Waste Management and Stericycle conduct educational programs for families and visitors on segregation of waste. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 The singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, was placed in segregation upon his arrival at the facility because of his celebrity status, according to TMZ. —Jessica Schaldebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026 During segregation, this was one of the properties where Black travelers could spend the night, and King often stayed at the motel when in Memphis. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for segregation
Cite this Entry
“Segregation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/segregation. Accessed 27 Apr. 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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