affirmative action

[uh-fur-muh-tiv ak-shuhn]

noun

1. the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment.

affirmative action

noun

1. Brit equivalent: positive discrimination. a policy or programme designed to counter discrimination against minority groups and women in areas such as employment and education

affirmative action

1. A term referring to various government policies that aim to increase the proportion of African-Americans, women, and other minorities in jobs and educational institutions historically dominated by white men. The policies usually require employers and institutions to set goals for hiring or admitting minorities.

Affirmative action has been extremely controversial. Supporters maintain that it is the only way to overcome the effects of past discrimination and promote integration. Critics dismiss it as “reverse discrimination,” denying opportunities to qualified whites and men. (See Bakke decision).

Other Word Forms

• affirmative-action adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of affirmative action¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

A full count of castes promises a sharper picture of who truly benefits from affirmative action and who is left behind.

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Since taking his seat in 2005, he has been central to rulings that eliminated affirmative action, elevated religious-exercise rights, limited federal regulatory authority and, of particular focus now, expanded presidential power.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The conservative advocate who dismantled affirmative action is joining forces with a center-left Democrat and a Duke University economist to challenge another sacred cow in elite college admissions: preferential treatment for the offspring of alumni.

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Those moves occurred after a June 2023 Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in college admissions had ripple effects in the business world.

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“This court held that race-based affirmative action in higher education must come to an end,” Solicitor Gen. D. John Sauer wrote in his brief.

Read more on Los Angeles Times