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

Conversations around racial caricature have evolved; what was edgy feels painfully passé. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

The victims later discovered a racial slur written on the apron of their driveway, and according to investigators, home surveillance footage showed Assi allegedly approaching the driveway and writing a slur, according to prosecutors. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

In other words, much of what looks like a racial gap is a poverty gap. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026

Unions can also be powerful tools for combating racial pay discrimination; the new report shows tripling union membership would narrow the racial wage gap by more than a third. — Liz Shuler, Time, 15 Oct. 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