segregate
SEG-ruh-gayt
/ˈseɡ.rɪ.ɡeɪt/
To set apart from the rest or from each other; isolate or divide.
Often carries a strong historical and political connotation of separating groups of people based on race, gender, or class, usually enforced by laws or systemic structures.
The story behind the word. Segregate comes from the Latin 'segregare', which literally means 'to separate from the flock'. The prefix 'se-' means 'apart', and 'grex' (genitive 'gregis') means 'flock' or 'herd'. It is the literal act of pulling a sheep away from the rest of the group.
Word relationships
- separate: Separate is a neutral, general term, while segregate often implies a forced, systematic, or discriminatory division.
- isolate: Isolate means to place something entirely alone, whereas segregate usually means dividing a population into distinct groups.
- integrate: To integrate is to bring different groups together into equal participation, which is the direct opposite of segregating them.
- unify: To unify is to make separate parts into a single, cohesive whole.
Commonly confused with
- aggregate: Aggregate means to collect or gather separate parts into a mass, while segregate means to pull them apart.
Word family
- segregation (noun): The action or state of setting someone or something apart from others.
- segregationist (noun): A person who supports the policy of forced separation of racial groups.
Collocations
- segregate by race
- segregate the sexes
- systematically segregated
Example sentences
- "For decades, laws were used to segregate public spaces, forcing Black and white citizens to use separate facilities." A discussion of historical civil rights movements.
- "The researchers had to segregate the contaminated samples to prevent the virus from spreading to the clean specimens." A scientific context regarding laboratory procedures.
Memory hook
Think of 'separate the aggregate'—taking a combined group (aggregate) and splitting them up (segregate). Separate from the flock.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to simple personal choices to be alone; use isolate or withdraw instead.
Fun facts
- The antonym of segregate, 'gregarious' (meaning fond of company), shares the same Latin root 'grex', meaning flock. One wants to stay in the flock; the other is pushed out.
Related words
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