segregation
The civil rights movement fought against racial segregation in schools and public spaces.
The movement aimed to end the practice of separating people by race in institutions like schools.
The practice of separating people or groups, especially based on race, religion, or gender, and treating them differently.
The Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in the southern United States.
These laws legally required the separation of Black and white people in public facilities.
Gender segregation in some workplaces limits women's career advancement.
This practice restricts women to certain roles or areas, often unfairly.
Often used in legal contexts to describe discriminatory policies, such as apartheid in South Africa.
The process of separating or isolating something from a larger group.
The segregation of recyclables from general waste is essential for effective waste management.
Separating recyclable materials from other trash ensures proper processing.
In engineering, this term can refer to physical separation, such as in material science or construction.
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Pro Tip
Avoiding ambiguity
Use 'segregation' specifically for forced separation, especially by law or custom. For voluntary separation (e.g., communities choosing to live apart), use 'separation' or 'isolation' instead.
Gold Rule
Context matters
In sociology and law, 'segregation' implies unfair treatment. In technical fields, it may refer to neutral separation processes.
Word Origin
From Latin *segregatio(n-)*, from *segregare* ('to separate from the flock'), from *se-* ('apart') + *grex* ('flock'). The word entered English in the 15th century, initially with a neutral sense of separation, but by the 19th century, it took on its modern sociological and legal meanings.
Usage Notes
The term is most commonly associated with racial segregation, particularly in historical contexts like the U.S. South or apartheid-era South Africa. It is a strong word with negative connotations, implying unfair treatment. In non-social contexts (e.g., engineering), it is neutral.