desegregation

UK: /ˌdiːsɛgrɪˈgeɪʃ^ən/

US: /diˌsɛgrɪˈgeɪʃən/

US: (dē′seg ri gā′shən, dē seg′-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•seg•re•ga•tion  (dē′seg ri gā′shən, dē seg′-), n. 

1. Sociology the elimination of laws, customs, or practices under which different races, groups, etc., are restricted to specific or separate public facilities, neighborhoods, schools, organizations, or the like.

• de- + segregation 1950–55

de′seg•re•ga′tion•ist, n. 

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•seg•re•gate /diˈsɛgrɪˌgeɪt/   v., -gat•ed, -gat•ing. 

1. Sociology to eliminate racial or other segregation in: [ ~ + obj]:
   to desegregate schools.
   [no obj]:
   The governor had promised never to desegregate.

de•seg•re•ga•tion /diˌsɛgrɪˈgeɪʃən/  n. 

[uncountable] fighting for desegregation of schools.

See -greg-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•seg•re•gate  (dē seg′ri gāt′), v., -gat•ed, -gat•ing. 
v.t. 

1. Sociology to eliminate racial segregation in:
   to desegregate all schools.

v.i. 

2. Sociology to eliminate racial segregation.

• de- + segregate 1950–55