Definition of affirmative action in English:

noun

• (in the context of the allocation of resources or employment) the practice or policy of favouring individuals belonging to groups known to have been discriminated against previously; positive discrimination.

  Example sentences

  • ‘We want to know what you think about the upcoming case and affirmative action in general.’
  • ‘Many argue that we can and should still make the case for affirmative action.’
  • ‘Opposition to quotas is not the same thing as opposition to affirmative action.’
  • ‘Then, there are those who see affirmative action as a form of reverse discrimination.’
  • ‘The Court had previously made clear that affirmative action could not last forever.’
  • ‘However there is no pressure for compliance with any of these affirmative action programs and much needs to be done.’
  • ‘For many years, it served as the primary basis for affirmative action programs.’
  • ‘Perhaps we should take a positive view, and look at this as affirmative action at its most effective.’
  • ‘Is affirmative action to reverse the legacy of discrimination an idea whose time has passed?’
  • ‘Besides advocating a crackdown he is also proposing affirmative action to help young people.’
  • ‘They plan to host a summit next March to focus on the importance of affirmative action for women.’
  • ‘It's a ridiculous jump to assume the only aim of knowledge is immediate affirmative action.’
  • ‘All the companies surveyed indicated that they have affirmative action policies in place.’
  • ‘It should also contain a clear statement by the union in favour of affirmative action.’
  • ‘The legal question at issue here is whether affirmative action is constitutional.’
  • ‘And call it what you like, but we need positive discrimination, or affirmative action.’
  • ‘This view is utterly independent of my views on the merits of affirmative action.’
  • ‘He soon will get another chance to stake out a position on affirmative action.’
  • ‘They have been appointed on a basis that reflects political correctness or affirmative action.’
  • ‘He has supported affirmative action, but warned people of the damage it can do to social cohesion.’