racism

[ rey-siz-uh m ]

/ ˈreɪ sɪz əm /

noun

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.

a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Nearby words

racing, racing car, racing flag, racing form, racing skate, racism, racist, rack, rack and pinion, rack and ruin, go to, rack car

Origin of racism

From the French word racisme, dating back to 1865–70. See race², -ism

Related forms

rac·ist, noun, adjectivean·ti·ra·cism, noun

Usage note

See race².

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for antiracism

Nonracism means avoiding bigotry; antiracism means denouncing bigotry.
National Review’s Firing of John Derbyshire a Welcome Blow Against Racism|Peter Beinart|April 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for antiracism (1 of 2)

antiracism

/ (ˌæntɪˈreɪsɪzəm) /

noun

the policy of challenging racism and promoting racial tolerance

Derived Forms

antiracist, noun, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for antiracism (2 of 2)

racism

racialism (ˈreɪʃəˌlɪzəm)

/ (ˈreɪsɪzəm) /

noun

the belief that races have distinctive cultural characteristics determined by hereditary factors and that this endows some races with an intrinsic superiority over others

abusive or aggressive behaviour towards members of another race on the basis of such a belief

Derived Forms

racist or racialist, noun, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for antiracism

racism

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.