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

By sharing the screen and dancing together, Temple and Robinson challenged racial segregation norms that were unfortunately common at the time. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2025

The only letter that even touched on racial issues was Landis calling for strict segregation in city and county lockups. —Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Feb. 2025

Catholic diocese challenges racial divides Edwin V. O’Hara served as Bishop of Great Falls, Montana, during the 1930s, a period when the city was thriving and home to the largest Black population in the state. —Michael Wells, Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2025

Powerfully, this support has transcended political, racial, and even class divisions. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

race entry 1 + -ial

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing racial

• post-racial

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