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
ˈrā-shə-lē How to pronounce racial (audio)
adverb
see also:
racial group

Synonyms of racial

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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.
Proficiency improved for nearly every racial and ethnic group, while gaps between white, Black and Hispanic students narrowed but remained significant. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Sixty-one percent of likely Latino voters, and 57% of total voters surveyed, do not believe that having a Latino governor would reduce racial inequalities in the state. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Among the shockers in the graphic 2007 footage, Hulk is heard using racial slurs about Brooke’s then boyfriend, Miami producer Yannique Barker. — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026 The new decade had begun with a deadly pandemic and racial justice movement, which had each morphed into dizzying culture wars mined by political actors seeking power. — David MacK, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for racial

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of racial was in 1853

Phrases Containing racial

Rhymes for racial

See All Rhymes for racial

Browse Nearby Words

Rachycentron
racial
racial group
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

racial

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

Medical Definition

racial

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