profiling

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

Examples of profiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Markayle Gray, a Black teacher formerly employed by Charlotte Secondary School, says he was fired because of backlash over his teaching of a novel about a Black student who attends an elite prep school and becomes the victim of racial profiling. —Julia Coin, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2026

Racial profiling allegations Ebuehi is now filing a lawsuit against the NYPD, alleging he was targeted because of his race. —Naveen Dhaliwal, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

Accusations of racial profiling have increased during Florida’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants. —Jake Shore, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026

Along with erecting tent jails for detaining immigrants, agents have used racial profiling during immigration raids. —Jonathan Van Harmelen, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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