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The definition and history

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: a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race

also : behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief : racial discrimination or prejudice

The kind of trenchant racism to which black people have persistently been subjected can never be defeated by making its victims more respectable. The essence of American racism is disrespect.

From racist graffiti in schools to daily microaggressions and police profiling, rally testimonials highlighted that issues surrounding racism are still very much local issues.

: the systemic oppression of a racial group to the social, economic, and political advantage of another

Discriminatory housing practices, redlining neighborhoods, underfunded education, lack of access to healthcare, racial profiling, police brutality and mass incarceration are just a few examples of cage wires that all together contribute to structural racism.

: a political or social system founded on racism and designed to execute its principles

In 1913 the Natives Land Act reserved 90% of the country for whites, who then made up 21% of the population. Under the formalised racism of apartheid 3.5m blacks were forcibly moved to isolated reservations called "homelands." - The Economist

The History and Dictionary Meanings of Racism and Racist: Usage Guide

Racism and racist appear to be words of recent origin, with no citations currently known that would suggest these words were in use prior to the early 20th century. But the fact that the words are fairly new does not prove that the concept of racism did not exist in the distant past. Things may have words to describe them before they exist ( spaceship, for instance, has been in use since the 19th century, well before the rocket-fired vessels were invented), and things may exist for a considerable time before they are given names ( T-shirt does not appear in print until the 20th century, although the article of clothing existed prior to 1900). Dictionaries are often treated as the final arbiter in arguments over a word's meaning, but they are not always well suited for settling disputes. The lexicographer's role is to explain how words are (or have been) actually used, not how some may feel that they should be used, and they say nothing about the intrinsic nature of the thing named or described by a word, much less the significance it may have for individuals. When discussing concepts like racism, therefore, it is prudent to recognize that quoting from a dictionary is unlikely to either mollify or persuade the person with whom one is arguing.

Synonyms

Examples of racism in a Sentence

The recording career of the Henderson band was brief ... due partly to the racism of booking agencies that didn't take on black acts until the mid-'30s, when Henderson's career was on the downswing. - Today, Hawaii has one of the most diverse populations anywhere. Each group has its own stories of prejudice and opportunities limited by racism. - the Hitler's declaration of his belief in a "master race" was an indication of the inherent Greg Tate, Jill Center, racism that was the basis of apartheid racism of the Nazi movement. San Francisco Chronicle, Vibe,

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'racism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Note: The word racism competed in the early twentieth century with the older word racialism, which is now much rarer.

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

The first known use of racism was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near racism

Cite this Entry

"Racism." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/racism. Accessed 16 Nov. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on racism

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

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a belief that race is a fundamental determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race; also : behavior or attitudes that reflect and foster this belief : racial discrimination or prejudice... See the full definition

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These are the categories that structure racism in its multiple forms. Another type of racism, which I say is often ignored because it is hard to prove, is silent racism. It's hard to identify because sometimes, even though you know you're being judged for your race as they are staring at you or gossiping behind your back, there is no physical evidence for it.

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Racism is so global and common that it has occurred in professional soccer matches all over the world. I would say it's gotten a lot worse due to social media use, so even now, when players are off the pitch, they still get the constant abuse. It's very infuriating, and being a witness to a soccer game in Barcelona, the amount of atrocious phrases and words being said is intolerable.

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How Premier League has worked to tackle online racist abuse

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After Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure was racially abused, the Premier League’s dedicated team stepped into action

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Racism is a global issue, it is not just an American issue.

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There are so many ways to prevent racism, but here are the main ones:

1. Celebrate other cultures.

2. Call out bigotry and hate speech.

3. Teach children kindness and how to talk about differences.

4. Act in solidarity — and intervene if it's safe to do so.

5. Support human rights organizations like UNICEF.

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The Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, best known for extolling the virtues of nomadic taco trucks and under-the-radar noodle shops in his native Los Angeles, once said that he wrote "to try to get people less afraid of their neighbors."

As horrifying scenes of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the relentless bombing of the Gaza Strip that followed continue to dominate the news, incidents of antisemitism, Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism have surged in the U.S., leaving parents across the country struggling to calm their children's fears and answer their questions - and to remind them that every person, everywhere, has the right to feel safe and respected.

Hate crimes start with hate speech, which often thrives in times of crisis. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jonathan Mok, a college student from Singapore, reported being punched and kicked on the street in London. His attackers, he told the BBC, shouted, "We don't want your coronavirus in our country." Mok posted photos of his injured face on social media, writing, "Racism is not stupidity - racism is hate. Racists constantly find excuses to expound their hatred."

Racism is not stupidity - racism is hate. Racists constantly find excuses to expound their hatred.

A special report published in 2022 by the U.S. Department of Justice noted that in 2020, the first year of the pandemic, hate crimes rose to their highest level in 12 years, with a spike in crimes and incidents against Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. In 2021, Black Lives Matter, the global racial justice movement, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its struggle against racism and racially motivated violence. "BLM's call for systemic change has spread around the world, forcing other countries to grapple with racism within their own societies," Norwegian MP Petter Eide wrote in his nominating statement. Meanwhile, migrants and refugees - some literally running for their lives - continue to be met with suspicion and hostility.

Gold saw food as one way to bridge the divide between people from different ethnic backgrounds. Learning about other cultures emphasizes the fact that we are all people and sends the message that racism and xenophobia will not be tolerated in a civil society. It is our job, as people, as parents, as citizens of the world, to combat hate and discrimination wherever we can. Here are five ways:

1. Celebrate other cultures

Show your support for diverse ethnic groups in your community by attending, promoting or helping fund events run by local organizations and houses of worship that bring people together: festivals, film series, guest lectures, language classes and celebrations. Bring your children.

Recognize cultural diversity and inclusion by supporting local businesses run by immigrants. Try foods and recipes from a range of culinary traditions. Watch films from other countries with your kids and read them stories that celebrate diversity.

2. Call out bigotry and hate speech

Stigmatization is cruel and unproductive. There has been a disturbing increase in hate speech among Americans and Europeans in recent years, often blaming immigrant and minority groups for the difficulties of their own countries. If you overhear someone tell a racist joke, speak up and let them know stereotyping isn't harmless. Let your children know they should feel free do the same. There's nothing funny about using "humor" to normalize dangerous ideas and perpetuate ugly stereotypes.

If you see something in news reports or on social media that reflects prejudice, write a letter to the editor or leave a comment to let others know that intolerant remarks are unkind and uncalled for.

3. Teach children kindness and how to talk about differences

Prejudice and hate are not innate. They are learned behaviors - and they can be unlearned. Children absorb biases from the adults around them, and from the media, books and their peers. So set a good example. The process of countering negatives with positives begins at an early age. Talking about differences does not increase prejudice in children.

4. Act in solidarity - and intervene if it's safe to do so

When the public stands in solidarity with immigrants and marginalized groups, bullies lose their power. If you see someone being harassed or physically attacked, it is important to help if you can do so safely. Make your presence as a witness known. Make eye contact with the person being attacked and ask if they want support. Don't escalate the situation. Verbal and physical abuse is wrong and should not be tolerated.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also has resources and guidance on how to safely take action.

5. Support human rights organizations like UNICEF

UNICEF has highlighted and advocated tirelessly for children's rights around the globe for more than 75 years and knows that children need to be seen as children, first and foremost. It's more important than ever that we all remain in solidarity with one another. Human rights are a collective promise made by all countries of the world, including those in distress. Children from all ethnic backgrounds - especially children who have been uprooted by violence, war and poverty - need our support, wherever they are. Every child deserves to be treated with humanity, and to grow up in a safe and healthy environment.
Please support UNICEF's work to save and protect children around the world. Please Donate

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Intolerance and hate crimes are on the rise in the U.S. and beyond. Now is the time to take action.

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I've been called names and slurs, and I've also had people silently judge me because of my skin color. These are my negative experiences, as I know these people meant it sincerely. Although my friends and I make jokes about each other because fo our race and ethnicity, I always have a back thought in my head that maybe we should stop overall.

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This is from a specific scene in the film 42. It is a biopic of Jackie Robinson's life. In this scene, it shows a child at Robinson's game, and his dad is shouting a horrible racial slur. At first, the child is hesitant to say it, but since his dad is saying it, he thinks it's okay for him to say it. He immediately feels guilty about it because Robinson's teammate stood up for him, and he also enjoyed watching Robinson play.