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

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity?

There was racial tension on campus.

Recent Examples on the Web

There are performances by Belafonte, a 13-year-old Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5, and many other artists welcomed to the Ed Sullivan stage, despite the racial strife that raged across the country. —Pam Windsor, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Public meetings have in recent years featured shouting matches, handcuffs, threats of censure, the middle finger and at least one racial slur. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, an unidentified man can be heard yelling racial slurs while being beaten in the street, with some claiming the male victim slapped the perpetrator prior to the fight breaking out. —Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2025

In one of the videos, a man who police say was a victim can be heard shouting racial slurs. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 5 Aug. 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