eugenics
noun
eu·gen·ics
yü-ˈje-niks 
plural in form but singular in construction
: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the populations' genetic composition
In 1883 Francis Galton, in England, coined the term "eugenics" to encompass the idea of modification of natural selection through selective breeding for the improvement of humankind …—
Jeremiah A. Barondess
Jeremiah A. BarondessA half-century ago, eugenics became associated with Hitler, genocide and master-race theories, and its reputation has never recovered.—Dan Seligman
Dan SeligmanAfter the Second World War, "eugenics" became a word to be hedged with caveats in Britain and virtually a dirty word in the United States, where it had long been identified with racism.—Daniel J. Kevles
Daniel J. KevlesExamples of eugenics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Of the 45 people approved for reparations so far, just three were sterilized during the eugenics era.
—Adam Beam, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2023
Alexandra Stern, a professor of medical history at the University of Michigan, has put the number of people sterilized due to eugenics policies between the early 1900s and 1970s at a massive 60,000 people in 32 states.
—Janell Ross, Time, 9 Dec. 2022
Under the 20th-century eugenics policies, University of Michigan obstetrics and gynecology professor Alexandra Minna Stern found, about 60,000 people underwent compulsory sterilizations nationwide.
—USA Today, 11 Aug. 2022
The eugenics movement sought to prevent some people with mental illness or physical disabilities from being able to have children.
—Adam Beam, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2023
This work continued in the 19th century with the American eugenics movement, as scientists argued for the genetic superiority of those classified as white.
—Cydney H. Dupree, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2020
Adam Beam, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2023
Alexandra Stern, a professor of medical history at the University of Michigan, has put the number of people sterilized due to eugenics policies between the early 1900s and 1970s at a massive 60,000 people in 32 states.
—Janell Ross, Time, 9 Dec. 2022
Under the 20th-century eugenics policies, University of Michigan obstetrics and gynecology professor Alexandra Minna Stern found, about 60,000 people underwent compulsory sterilizations nationwide.
—USA Today, 11 Aug. 2022
The eugenics movement sought to prevent some people with mental illness or physical disabilities from being able to have children.
—Adam Beam, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2023
This work continued in the 19th century with the American eugenics movement, as scientists argued for the genetic superiority of those classified as white.
—Cydney H. Dupree, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eugenics.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Eugenics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eugenics. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
eugenics
noun
eu·gen·ics
yu̇-ˈjen-iks
: a science that deals with the improvement of inherited qualities of a race or breed and especially of human beings
Medical Definition
eugenics
noun, plural in form but singular in construction
eu·gen·ics
yu̇-ˈjen-iks
: the practice or advocacy of controlled selective breeding of human populations (as by sterilization) to improve the populations' genetic composition
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