racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
Synonyms of racialnext
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 adverb

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity? There was racial tension on campus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Public spaces are routinely polluted by blaring music packed with profanity and racial slurs, and no one thinks twice about it. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026 The resulting racial profiling and excessive violence by federal agents became an urgent call to action for a community that, not long ago, drew a line in the sand over race and policing — sparking 2020’s worldwide reckoning. Eric Roper, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026 Levy Armstrong said Thursday that their concerns are not only about immigrant rights, but also about racial justice and constitutional rights. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2026 The ultimate goal is to justify a takeover of the institutions, transforming them into weapons in the war against the very idea of multi-racial democracy. Literary Hub, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for racial

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of racial was in 1854

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Racial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racial. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

racial

adjective
ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on race
racially adverb

Medical Definition

racial

adjective
ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
: of, relating to, or based on a race

More from Merriam-Webster on racial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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