affirmative action

American  

[uh-fur-muh-tiv ak-shuhn] / əˈfɜr mə tɪv ˈæk ʃən /

noun

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

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affirmative action British  

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

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affirmative action Cultural  

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.

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Discover More

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

Derived Forms

• affirmative-action
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of affirmative action

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Mr. Steele supports affirmative action as “a form of reconciliation with our dominant racial, ethnic, and gender order” and is “saddened by the tenor of the present moment.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

While diversity programs have gone by a variety of names over the decades — nondiscrimination, affirmative action, DEI — they all trace their roots to the Civil Rights Movement, which lasted from 1954 to 1968.

From Salon • Jan. 19, 2026

An Associated Press analysis finds that the number of Black students enrolling at many elite colleges has dropped in the two years since the Supreme Court banned affirmative action in admissions.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Sociologist and demographer Sonalde Desai told me that without a fresh caste census, India's affirmative action policies operate "blindly", relying on outdated colonial data.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2025

Maybe if I knew what affirmative action was I’d feel uncomfortable, too.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden