racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl 

1

: of, relating to, or based on a race (see race entry 1 sense 1a)

a racial minority

2

: existing or occurring between races (see race entry 1 sense 1a)

racial equality

racially

ˈrā-shə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• ethnic
• ethnical
• tribal

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity?

There was racial tension on campus.

Recent Examples on the Web

In 1971, the IRS formalized the policy of denying tax-exempt status to private schools that practiced racial discrimination, setting the stage to send the matter to the Supreme Court. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025

Instead, they may be identified as having a combination of racial backgrounds. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025

Some of McRae’s fans have voiced their disapproval for collaborating with Wallen, who remains controversial after he was caught using a racial slur on camera back in 2021. —Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

The border region had long been fraught with racial and ethnic tensions, that in the past turned deadly. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing racial

• post-racial

Rhymes for racial

• facial
• glacial
• spacial
• spatial
• bifacial
• biracial
• palatial
• postglacial
• preglacial
• subglacial
• craniofacial
• interfacial

Kids Definition

racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl 

: of, relating to, or based on race

racially

-shə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl 

: of, relating to, or based on a race