definitions

affirmative action

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noun

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

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RELATED WORDS

nondiscrimination

Nearby words

affirm, affirmance, affirmant, affirmation, affirmative, affirmative action, affirmative flag, affirmatory, affix, affixation, affixture

Origin of affirmative action

First recorded in 1960–65

Related forms

af·firm·a·tive-ac·tion, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for affirmative action

British Dictionary definitions for affirmative action

affirmative action

noun

US a policy or programme designed to counter discrimination against minority groups and women in areas such as employment and educationBrit equivalent: positive discrimination
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for affirmative action

affirmative action

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.

Note

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).
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.