race riot

noun

1. a riot resulting from animosity or tensions between racial or ethnic groups.

race riot

noun

1. a riot among members of different races in the same community

Word History and Origins

Origin of race riot¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

His death sparked chaos at the facility, Lakeside Academy in Kalamazoo, including what officials described as “a race riot.”

From Voice of San Diego

In the spring and summer of 1866, violent race riots erupted first in Memphis and then in New Orleans.

From Washington Post

In 1919, the neighborhood exploded in a weeklong race riot that left 38 people dead.

From ProPublica

We were very divided in the latter part of the 1960s, with very serious race riots.

From Washington Post

A rally against African migrants turns violent and a race riot ensues; the whole thing is repeated a week later.

From The Daily Beast

Still, last night in the Hatikva neighborhood of Tel Aviv, what began as an anti-immigration rally turned into a race riot.

From The Daily Beast

Mountains of material about welfare cheats and animals and arming oneself for the coming race riot and so on.

From The Daily Beast

Segregation always meant either the quiet or the violent form of a race riot.

From The Daily Beast

The same NAACP that was launched due to a race riot in Springfield, Illinois.

From The Daily Beast

I do not believe that the race relation in Chicago is the better for the race riot.

From Project Gutenberg

A little more and that affair could have growed into a first-class race riot.

From Project Gutenberg

And yet last April this quiet old town was shaken by a race riot.

From Project Gutenberg

It was therefore considered very extraordinary that a race riot should break out in the city.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the first race riot that had ever taken place in Knoxville, and all reputable people were sorry for it.

From Project Gutenberg