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
• tribal

Examples of racial in a Sentence

What is your racial identity?

There was racial tension on campus.

Recent Examples on the Web

The act protected racial minorities against disenfranchisement, both individually and collectively, which was often interpreted to mean that Black voters, in particular, had a right to elect Black representatives. —Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

When Bay Area officials offered remote viewing options beginning in 2020, city council proceedings in San Jose and Walnut Creek were Zoom bombed with racial slurs. —Michael McDevitt, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024

Addressing past racial discrimination is a serious matter. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 4 Oct. 2024

That’s according to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, a non-profit that studies issues surrounding racial and social economics. —Michael Del Castillo, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing racial

• post-racial

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