Segregation: meaning, definitions and examples

This is a duplicate entry; see the first 'segregation' entry for details.

General term referring to the act of dividing or keeping apart individuals or groups. Can be used in a variety of contexts, including legal, social, and physical separation.

• The separation of church and state is a fundamental principle in many democracies.
• Their separation after the argument lasted for several days.

Best used when talking about keeping someone or something apart from others, often to prevent the spread of disease or contamination. It can also refer to the state of being alone.

• The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the infection from spreading.
• His isolation during the pandemic led to feelings of loneliness.

Specifically refers to the policy of racial segregation and discrimination enforced in South Africa between 1948 and 1994, involving extreme human rights violations.

• Nelson Mandela fought against apartheid in South Africa.
• The end of apartheid marked a new era of freedom for South Africans.

Used when referring to the act of separating groups of people based on race, religion, or other characteristics. Often has a negative connotation.

• The school's policy led to racial segregation
• The segregation of communities based on ethnicity is unjust

General term for keeping things or people apart. Used in various contexts including relationships, law, and physical spaces.

• The separation of church and state is a fundamental principle
• The couple decided on a trial separation before finalizing their divorce

Pertains to the act of keeping something or someone apart from others. Can refer to physical, social, or emotional isolation.

• The patient was kept in isolation to prevent the spread of disease
• Feelings of isolation can lead to depression

Refers to the process of distinguishing or creating differences between things or people. Commonly used in business, biology, and education.

• Product differentiation helps companies stand out in the market
• The differentiation of cells is essential in biological development

Used when referring to separating groups, often based on characteristics like race, gender, or ability. Typically has a negative connotation due to historical and social contexts.

• The segregation of schools based on race is illegal.
• They fought against the segregation of buses.

Best used in more formal or scientific contexts where items are systematically arranged based on specific criteria or characteristics.

• The classification of plants is crucial for understanding botany.
• A clear classification of data can help in making better decisions.

Appropriate for describing the act of dividing or organizing items or concepts into categories for simplification or understanding.

• The categorization of books in the library makes it easier to find them.
• Her research focused on the categorization of different species of butterflies.

Refers to the physical or metaphorical division of a space or area into separate parts. Often used in contexts involving physical separation or dividing resources or sections.

• The room was divided by a glass partition.
• The partition of the estate among the heirs was done fairly.