profiling

1 of 2

noun

pro·​fil·​ing ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ 

: 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

profiling

2 of 2

present participle of profile entry 2

Examples of profiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2016, a federal judge held Arpaio in criminal contempt of court for defying orders to stop the profiling. — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

After Utah County closed the 1974 murder case of 17-year-old Laura Aime this year, linking it to Bundy using new DNA profiling, the neighboring counties were able to match Bundy’s DNA to the Smith murder. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

The forensic department at Oklahoma State University then took over genealogy profiling, according to Rouse. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Encryption does not justify unnecessary collection, indefinite retention or intrusive profiling. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1980, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for profiling

• beguiling
• compiling
• refiling
• reviling
• stockpiling
• unsmiling
• filing
• piling
• smiling
• styling
• tiling
• reconciling

Legal Definition

profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing

: 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