affirmative action
Save This Word!
noun
the encouragement of increased representation of women and minority-group members, especially in employment.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “ITS” VS. “IT’S”!
Apostrophes can be tricky; prove you know the difference between it’s and its in this crafty quiz!
Question 1 of 12
On the farm, the feed for chicks is significantly different from the roosters’; ______ not even comparable.
Origin of affirmative action
First recorded in 1960–65
OTHER WORDS FROM affirmative action
af·firm·a·tive-ac·tion, adjectiveWords nearby affirmative action
affirm, affirmance, affirmant, affirmation, affirmative, affirmative action, affirmative flag, affirmatory, affirmed, affix, affixation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences 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
Cultural 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.
notes for affirmative action
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.