Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for "critical race theory"
SEE ALSO:
Politics dictionary results for Critical Race Theory.

critical race theory

American  
[krit-i-kuhl reys thee-uh-ree, theer-ee] / ˈkrɪt ɪ kəl ˈreɪs ˌθi ə ri, ˌθɪər i /
Sometimes Critical Race Theory

noun

  1. a conceptual framework that considers the impact of historical laws and social structures on the present-day perpetuation of racial inequality: first used in legal analyses, and now applied in education, communication studies, and sociology. CRT


Etymology

Origin of critical race theory

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The field of critical race theory, known widely as CRT, examines the extent to which racial inequality and racism are systemically embedded in American institutions.

From Los Angeles Times May 20, 2025

Razack also specializes in critical race theory, a framework for analyzing systemic racism.

From Washington Post Apr. 3, 2023

For decades, critical race theory was something discussed almost exclusively by scholars and academics.

From Slate Sep. 30, 2022

Perusing footnotes, he discovered the field of critical race theory.

From New York Times Apr. 24, 2022

My book "The End of Policing" is not part of the tradition of legal scholarship referred to as critical race theory.

From Salon Apr. 5, 2022

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training