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

But the fictional world of crime is, unfortunately, not immune to racial prejudices. —H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 23 Apr. 2025

Bird and Rapinoe are outspoken advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, racial equality, and gender equity. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2025

Kaepernick’s longtime girlfriend Nessa Diab revealed the former San Francisco 49ers star, who knelt during the national anthem in 2016 in protest of racial injustice in the U.S., is still training for an NFL opportunity. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Following the 2020 racial reckoning in response to the murder of George Floyd, The Sierra Club was pushed, at last, to release a statement condemning Muir. —Jerel Ezell, Time, 22 Apr. 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