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

A lot of Minority Report‘s speculations have come true—of course the Justice Department will supercharge profiling through an expensive and untested tech solution—but the detail that sticks with me most is the Gap store retinal-scanning Cruise and yelling past purchases back at him. —Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026

The stops sparked widespread protests in California and many people criticized them, saying they were based on racial profiling. —Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026

Racial profiling is deeply embedded in these systems, which are also increasingly operational within community policing. —Dr. Timothy Scott, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026

Despite the findings, Sheridan insisted there was no racial profiling at the department. —Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 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