desegregation

[ dee-seg-ri-gey-shuhn, dee-seg- ]

noun

1. the elimination of laws, customs, or practices under which people from different religions, ancestries, ethnic groups, etc., are restricted to specific or separate public facilities, neighborhoods, schools, organizations, or the like.

Other Words From

• deseg·re·gation·ist noun
• anti·de·segre·gation adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of desegregation¹

First recorded in 1950–55; de- + segregation

Example Sentences

Harris’ ambitions bloomed at Thousand Oaks Elementary, where she was among the first bused to a new school as part of Berkeley’s voluntary desegregation program while other parts of the country resisted merging districts.

From Los Angeles Times

She joined La Mutua last year after discovering while working on the Alamosa school desegregation case that family members had once belonged.

From Los Angeles Times

The district itself was founded in 1970 amid federal desegregation orders, when residents broke away from the Jefferson County Schools and agreed to pay an extra tax.

From Salon

One of his picks was Sylvia Mendez, who has spent decades publicizing the landmark 1940s school desegregation case that bears her family’s name.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Obama reportedly supported Mr Biden's selection of Ms Harris, despite their early debate clash over the former vice-president's record on school desegregation.

From BBC

Related Words

• assimilation