What does eugenics mean?
Eugenics refers to the set of beliefs and practices aimed at improving the genetic quality of a human population, most commonly through selective breeding, sterilization, or reproductive control. Coined by Francis Galton in the late nineteenth century from Greek roots meaning 'good' and 'born', it was once embraced by mainstream scientists and politicians across Europe and North America. Today the term carries an overwhelmingly negative connotation because of its association with forced sterilization programmes and with Nazi policies of 'racial hygiene', which culminated in atrocity during the Holocaust. In contemporary discourse, 'eugenics' is almost always used critically — invoked as a warning against coercive reproductive policies or against modern genetic technologies perceived as enabling 'designer babies'. The word functions as a noun (often treated as singular) and has derivatives such as 'eugenic' and 'eugenicist'. Its history makes it one of the most cautionary terms in modern English vocabulary.
nounThe study of or practice of improving the genetic quality of a human population, typically through selective breeding or other forms of genetic intervention.
- The science or practice aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population, especially humans, through selective breeding.
"The eugenics movement of the early twentieth century led to forced sterilizations in several countries."
"Many scientists in the 1920s lent their names to the eugenics movement before its horrors became fully apparent."
"Modern debates about gene editing sometimes invoke the spectre of eugenics to warn against designer babies."
Although ending in -ics, 'eugenics' is an uncountable noun that normally takes singular verb agreement, similar to 'physics' or 'ethics'. No distinct plural form exists.
"Eugenics was widely taught in universities during the early twentieth century."
The word 'eugenics' literally means 'well-born' — coined by Francis Galton from Greek roots meaning 'good' and 'born'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of eugenics
Coined by Sir Francis Galton in 1883 from Greek eu- ('good') and genēs ('born'), on the analogy of words like 'homogeneous'. Galton intended it as the name for a new science of improving human stock through selective breeding, drawing inspiration from his cousin Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Cognate formations using the same roots appear in words like 'euphoria' (from eu-) and 'genesis' (from the gen- root).
Related word forms
How eugenics is actually used
Highly negative connotation in modern usage due to association with Nazi racial policies and coercive sterilization programmes. Almost always used critically or historically. Formal register.
Easily confused with eugenics
Genetics is the neutral scientific study of heredity, while eugenics specifically refers to attempts to improve the human gene pool by selective means.