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 of racial

• ethnic
• ethnical

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity?

There was racial tension on campus.

Recent Examples on the Web

The directive repealed federal guidance that schools work to avoid racial disparities in school punishments. —Stacker, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2026

He was also revered as a civil rights activist pushing for quality healthcare, women’s rights, living wages, racial and immigrant justice, and gender and LGBTQ equality. —Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 9 May 2026

Data indicate that male applicants tend to come from more racial and ethnically diverse backgrounds, and a greater proportion pursue graduate degrees than their female colleagues. —Nicholas A. Giordano, STAT, 8 May 2026

Otherwise, racial classifications must be a specific remedy for a recent wrong. —Stephen L. Carter, Twin Cities, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1853, 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