profiling

noun pro·fil·ing \ ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Definition of profiling

: the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies

consumer profiling

; specifically : the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior

racial profiling

See profiling defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of profiling from the Web

The incident led to protests and reignited a national conversation over racial profiling.

— ray sanchez, CNN, "Philly police issue new trespassing policy after Starbucks arrests," 8 June 2018
The incident was recorded by cellphone and went viral, triggering protests, boycott threats and debate over racial profiling.

— terry tang and joseph pisani, The Christian Science Monitor, "Starbucks holds anti-bias training for 175,000 employees," 29 May 2018
The April 12 arrests sparked a firestorm over racial profiling.

— dianna m. náñez, azcentral, "New Starbucks open-bathroom policy draws mixed reviews from Arizona customers," 19 May 2018
Residents are frustrated by racial profiling and a lack of fresh and healthy food in these stores.

— diana budds, Curbed, "Want a more equitable city? Try food-oriented design," 10 May 2018
With racial profiling and racial biases, people of color have to deal with this type of situation all the time, when your skin can be perceived as a threat in a white space.

— valerie russ, Philly.com, "How could a disruptive white man remain in the theater when black men get arrested at Starbucks for no reason?," 6 May 2018
The arrest of Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson on April 12 touched off a furor around the U.S. over racial profiling.

— Time, "Black Men Arrested at Starbucks Settle for $1 Each," 2 May 2018
The men portrayed the twin settlements as an effort to make sure something positive came out of the April 12 incident, which touched off a furor around the U.S. over racial profiling.

— Bloomberg.com, "Black Men Arrested at Starbucks Settle for $200,000 Entrepreneurs Program," 2 May 2018
The arrest of Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson on April 12 touched off a furor around the U.S. over racial profiling.

— errin haines whack, chicagotribune.com, "Black men arrested at Starbucks settle for $1, and promise of $200K for young entrepreneurs program," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'profiling.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of profiling

1980

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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PROFILING Defined for English Language Learners

profiling

noun

Definition of profiling for English Language Learners

: the act or process of learning information about someone based on what is already known
: the act or practice of regarding particular people as more likely to commit crimes because of their appearance, race, etc.

Law Dictionary

profiling

noun pro·fil·ing

legal Definition of profiling

: the practice of singling out persons for law enforcement procedures on the basis of predetermined characteristics; specifically : the discriminatory practice of profiling based on race or ethnicity