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

• affirmative-action
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of affirmative action

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

affirmative action

There have been hunger strikes demanding farmers' rights, affirmative action, environmental protections, anti-corruption laws and the repeal of controversial security legislation.

From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2026

President and Fellows of Harvard College, which struck down race-based affirmative action in college admissions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 2, 2026

“He needed to focus his energy on the civil rights initiative, and affirmative action was a much bigger deal,” said Haru.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 17, 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

The University of Michigan law school, like many elite US educational institutions, uses a policy of affirmative action when it comes to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell