racial

adjective

ra·​cial ˈrā-shəl How to pronounce racial (audio)
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.
Not surprisingly, Allen spent his opening six full seasons in the Major Leagues – all with the Phillies -- battling racial slurs and his version of items hurled his way from the stands, both home and away. Terence Moore, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025 Childhood exposure to concentrated poverty has lasting effects, across time and across racial categories. Idrees Kahloon, New Yorker, 28 July 2025 Status: Pending Northwestern Accusation: Failing to protect civil rights and fight antisemitism and racial discrimination. Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 27 July 2025 Also uncovered in that tape, and made public three years later: Hogan using racial slurs. John Devore, Rolling Stone, 26 July 2025 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 7 Aug. 2025.

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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