noun
Uncommon
segregation
sehg-ruh-GAY-shuhn
Segregation (noun) means the enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, and the denial of equal treatment that goes with it. Example: “The civil rights movement fought to end segregation in the United States.”
noun
1
The enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, and the denial of equal treatment that goes with it.
"The civil rights movement fought to end segregation in the United States."
"Segregation laws once barred Black citizens from many public spaces."
"Museums now teach children about the history of racial segregation."
2
The act of keeping things or people apart and organized into separate groups.
"The prison uses segregation to keep certain inmates away from the general population."
"Segregation of raw meat from vegetables helps prevent food poisoning in kitchens."
"The segregation of waste into different bins makes recycling much easier."
3
In genetics, the process by which paired versions of a gene separate so each parent passes on only one copy to their offspring.
"Mendel's law of segregation explains how traits are passed to offspring."
"The textbook diagram shows segregation of alleles during the formation of egg cells."
"Students studied segregation in pea plants to see how traits are inherited."
How to use segregation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe forced separation of groups of people, most often associated with racial injustice; also a general term in genetics and other fields for separating things out.
Common pairings
racial segregation
end segregation
genetic segregation
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like segregation.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- segregations
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The civil rights movement fought to end _____ in the United States.
Etymology
Recorded from 1555, from Latin segregatio, built from segregate plus -ion.
Class of 1555
segregation joined the language around 1555.
See the full Class of 1555 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for segregation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for segregation →
Frequently asked questions
What does “segregation” mean?
The word “segregation” means the enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, and the denial of equal treatment that goes with it. In plain terms, the forced separation of groups of people, most often associated with racial injustice; also a general term in genetics and other fields for separating things out.
How do you pronounce “segregation”?
“Segregation” is pronounced sehg-ruh-GAY-shuhn (/sɛɡɹəˈɡeɪ̯ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “segregation” in a sentence?
Here is “segregation” used in a sentence: “The civil rights movement fought to end segregation in the United States.”
What is another word for “segregation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “segregation” include apartheid and Jim Crow law.
What is the opposite of “segregation”?
The opposite of “segregation” — its antonyms — is desegregation.
What part of speech is “segregation”?
“Segregation” is a noun.
Where does the word “segregation” come from?
The word “segregation” dates back to around 1555 and comes from Latin. Recorded from 1555, from Latin segregatio, built from segregate plus -ion.
Is “segregation” a common word?
“Segregation” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between segregation and integration?
Segregation is the enforced separation of people into different groups, especially by race, along with the denial of equal treatment that accompanies it. Integration is the opposite process, bringing separated groups together into shared spaces and institutions with equal access and treatment.
What is the difference between segregation and discrimination?
Segregation specifically refers to the physical or systemic separation of groups, such as separate schools or facilities, while discrimination is the broader unfair treatment of people based on characteristics like race, which can occur with or without physical separation.
Does segregation only apply to race relations?
No. While segregation is most associated with enforced racial separation, the word also describes any act of keeping things or people apart into separate groups, and in genetics it refers to the process by which paired gene versions separate so each parent passes on only one copy to offspring.
