To "segregate" means to separate or set apart from others. This term is often used in various contexts, such as in social settings, where groups of people may be divided based on characteristics like race, gender, or age. Segregation can occur intentionally or unintentionally and can have significant social implications. In a scientific context, segregation refers to the process of separating different elements or compounds. For example, in genetics, Gregor Mendel's laws of segregation explain how alleles are distributed to offspring during reproduction. This concept is crucial for understanding inheritance patterns and the diversity of traits in living organisms.