profiling

noun

pro·fil·ing | \ ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ

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

Examples of profiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web June 20, 2009 - Meets with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to discuss allegations of racial profiling. — CNN, 17 Sep. 2021 In mid-2002, a Black man accused Rudloff of racial profiling, records show. — Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2021 Law enforcement infiltrated mosques, built no-fly lists, and engaged in various forms of racial profiling. — Jonathan M. Pitts, baltimoresun.com, 9 Sep. 2021 The officer has allegedly been involved in previous cases of racial profiling, Saulter said, and should be fired from the force. — Tj Holmes, ABC News, 9 Sep. 2021 The 220-page file, chock full of examples of racial profiling by French police, was being delivered Thursday to the Council of State, the ultimate arbiter on the use of power by authorities. — Elaine Ganley, ajc, 22 July 2021 Reynolds introduced measures at the start of the 2021 legislative session to ban racial profiling by police and establish a system for tracking racial data on police stops. — BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2021 Reynolds introduced measures at the start of the 2021 legislative session to ban racial profiling by police and establish a system for tracking racial data on police stops. — Farnoush Amiri, chicagotribune.com, 19 June 2021 Reynolds introduced measures at the start of the 2021 legislative session to ban racial profiling by police and establish a system for tracking racial data on police stops. — Farnoush Amiri, Chron, 19 June 2021

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.

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Last Updated

21 Sep 2021

Cite this Entry

“Profiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiling. Accessed 21 Sep. 2021.

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More Definitions for profiling

profiling

noun

English Language Learners Definition of profiling

: 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.

See the full definition for profiling in the English Language Learners 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 racial profiling