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

see also:

racial group

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

This covert communication will lead to trouble, exacerbating racial inequities even as Lord Balfour eventually, foolishly brings the war back to his own doorstep. — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026

The American Civil Liberties Union, who has said the implementation of the death penalty reflects racial bias, applauded the announcement. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The existing appeal requirements were instituted to counter long-standing racial bias in capital sentencing. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

His campaign faced significant backlash in September after social media posts containing slurs against people with disabilities, derogatory language about LGBTQ+ people and language appearing to allude to a racial slur surfaced online. — Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing racial

• post-racial
• racial group

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