profiling

noun pro·fil·ing \ ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ \

|Updated on: 4 Aug 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 local accusations of racial profiling follow a string of high-profile cases.

— randy tucker, Cincinnati.com, "Colombian ultimate Frisbee players headed to Cincinnati were kicked off Greyhound for speaking Spanish. Greyhound says otherwise.," 13 July 2018
In each case, the party accused of profiling has earned a nickname to identify them on social media.

— justin l. mack, Indianapolis Star, "A video showing alleged racial profiling in Indianapolis went viral. This is the fallout.," 11 July 2018
This is a classic case of racial profiling in my half a million $$ neighborhood pool.

— CBS News, "Man who challenged black family’s use of pool loses job," 6 July 2018
This is a classic case of racial profiling in my half a million $$ neighborhood pool.

— michael harriot, The Root, "Sentient Marshmallow Calls Police on Black Woman for Swimming in Her Own Pool," 5 July 2018
The lawsuit comes on the heels of recent cases of police being called on black people that have sparked uproar and claims of racial profiling.

— alanna durkin richer, BostonGlobe.com, "A black homeless man was jailed after trying to eat at a Burger King in Boston. Now he’s suing," 17 May 2018
Screenshot via Facebook For the past few weeks, national attention has focused heavily on issues of racial profiling after a number of high-profile incidents involving white people calling the police on people of color spread on social media.

— p.r. lockhart, Vox, "A white lawyer threatened to call ICE on Spanish-speaking restaurant workers. Twitter is tearing him apart.," 16 May 2018
That, too, incited numerous disparaging Yelp reviews this week accusing it of racial profiling.

— carolyn said, San Francisco Chronicle, "Yelp in spotlight as activists use it to criticize controversial businesses," 20 Apr. 2018
Marcela Onyango and Lauren Clark host this comedy show, the topic of which is one seen all over the news lately: racial profiling.

— kasia pilat, New York Times, "7 Comedy Shows to Catch in N.Y.C. This Weekend," 12 July 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