Selma
Selma (noun) means a term used to describe a violent crackdown by authorities on peaceful civil rights protesters, evoking the 1965 Bloody Sunday attack on marchers in Selma, Alabama. Example: “Commentators called the police response a modern-day Selma.”
How to use Selma
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed, almost always capitalized, to compare a real event to the infamous violence against civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama.
Mostly used in journalism and historical commentary rather than everyday conversation.
Word forms
Selmas plural, Selmas plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Commentators called the police response a modern-day _____.
Etymology
From the city of Selma, Alabama, site of the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" attack on civil rights marchers; the city name itself came into fashion in the 19th century alongside similar-sounding names like Thelma and Wilma.
Rhymes for Selma
See all rhymes for Selma →Frequently asked questions
What does “Selma” mean?
The word “Selma” means a term used to describe a violent crackdown by authorities on peaceful civil rights protesters, evoking the 1965 Bloody Sunday attack on marchers in Selma, Alabama. In plain terms, used, almost always capitalized, to compare a real event to the infamous violence against civil rights marchers in Selma, Alabama.
How do you pronounce “Selma”?
“Selma” is pronounced SEHL-muh (/ˈsɛlmə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Selma” in a sentence?
Here is “Selma” used in a sentence: “Commentators called the police response a modern-day Selma.”
What part of speech is “Selma”?
“Selma” is a noun.
Where does the word “Selma” come from?
The word “Selma” dates back to around 1965. From the city of Selma, Alabama, site of the 1965 "Bloody Sunday" attack on civil rights marchers; the city name itself came into fashion in the 19th century alongside similar-sounding names like Thelma and Wilma.