racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or based on a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a)
a racial minority
2
: existing or occurring between races (see race entry 1 sense 1a)
racial equality
racially adverb

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity? There was racial tension on campus.
Recent Examples on the Web Instead of nerves over school shootings or racial microaggressions, the adults are soaking up what feels to them like a culture that sees children as full citizens who deserve love and respect from the entire community. Alfredo Sosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2024 The student code of conduct does not specifically list the use of racial slurs or hate speech as an offense. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Santa Monica’s own racial reckoning took an important step forward Tuesday to recognize the Ebony Beach Club, a dream location that never materialized. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Additionally, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Black workers continue to have a higher union membership rate than any other racial group. Essence, 22 Mar. 2024 How did the country’s racial politics affect her career? Harmeet Kaur, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 Contains profanity including racial slurs, brief violence and some smoking. Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Once inside, the officers mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns. CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 Musk also dismissed recent racial discrimination lawsuits against his EV company Tesla, which last month settled for an undisclosed amount, following a $3.2 million judgment in court to a Black former Tesla elevator operator. Ruth Umoh, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'racial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of racial was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near racial

Cite this Entry

“Racial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racial. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

racial

adjective
ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on race
racially adverb

Medical Definition

racial

adjective
ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on a race

More from Merriam-Webster on racial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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