Segregation

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sɛɡɹəˈɡeɪ̯ʃən/

Origin

1555.

OED

From Latin segregatio.

Full definition of segregation

Noun

1. The setting apart or separation of things or people, as a natural process, a manner of organizing people that may be voluntary or enforced by law.
2. (biology) The Mendelian Law of Segregation related to genetic transmission or geographical segregation of various species.
3. (mineralogy) Separation from a mass, and gathering about centers or into cavities at hand through cohesive or adhesive attraction or the crystallizing process.
4. (politics, public policy) The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into racial or other categories (e.g. religion, sex).
5. (sociology) The separation of people (geographically, residentially, or in businesses, public transit, etc) into various categories which occurs due to social forces (culture, etc).

Related terms

• segregate
• segregative
• segregator

Derived terms

• segregationist

Antonyms

• desegregation

Anagrams

• Saint George