noun
racism
RAY-sihzm
noun
1
The belief that people can be divided into distinct races, with some inherently superior to others.
"The museum exhibit traced the history of racism and its impact on policy."
2
Discrimination or prejudice against people based on their race.
"She filed a complaint after experiencing racism at work."
How to Use Racism
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe belief in racial superiority, or the discrimination that stems from it.
Common pairings
systemic racism
combat racism
accusations of racism
Word Forms
racisms plural
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The museum exhibit traced the history of _____ and its impact on policy.
Etymology
Borrowed from French racisme, built from "race" plus the suffix "-ism."