racism

[ rey-siz-uhm ]

noun

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to the others.
2. Also called in·sti·tu·tion·al rac·ism [in-sti-, too, -sh, uh, -nl , rey, -siz-, uh, m, -, tyoo, -],. a policy, system of government, etc., that is associated with or originated in such a doctrine, and that favors members of the dominant racial or ethnic group, or has a neutral effect on their life experiences, while discriminating against or harming members of other groups, ultimately serving to preserve the social status, economic advantage, or political power of the dominant group.
3. an individual action or behavior based upon or fostering such a doctrine; racial discrimination.
4. racial or ethnic prejudice or intolerance.

racism

/ ˈreɪʃəˌlɪzəm; ˈreɪsɪzəm /

noun

1. the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others
2. abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief

racism

1. The belief that some races are inherently superior (physically, intellectually, or culturally) to others and therefore have a right to dominate them. In the United States, racism, particularly by whites against blacks, has created profound racial tension and conflict in virtually all aspects of American society. Until the breakthroughs achieved by the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, white domination over blacks was institutionalized and supported in all branches and levels of government, by denying blacks their civil rights and opportunities to participate in political, economic, and social communities.

Usage Alert

See race ².

Derived Forms

• ˈracist, nounadjective

Other Words From

• rac·ist noun adjective
• an·ti·ra·cism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of racism¹

First recorded in 1900–05; from French racisme; race ², -ism

Example Sentences

What is racism - and what can be done about it?

From BBC

The seven-game ban given to Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur for a racial slur about team-mate Son Heung-min has restarted the conversation about racism towards players and fans of East and South East Asian descent.

From BBC

Show Racism the Red Card also called out viral social media posts linking Asian players to the coronavirus outbreak in 2020.

From BBC

April Valentine died while giving birth, and her family wants to know whether racism played a role.

From Los Angeles Times

Health researchers have faulted numerous factors for that disparity, including inequities in healthcare, chronic conditions and structural racism.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apartheid
• bias
• bigotry
• discrimination
• segregation
• unfairness