multiracial

[muhl-tee-rey-shuhl, muhl-tahy-]

adjective

1. consisting of, representing, or combining members of more than one racial group.

   multiracial communities.

2. (of a person) descended from more than one racial group.

multiracial

/ ˌmʌltɪˈreɪʃəl /

adjective

1. comprising people of many races

Other Word Forms

• multiracialism noun
• multiracially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of multiracial¹

First recorded in 1920–25; multi- + racial

Example Sentences

The 1987 movie features Schwarzenegger’s Dutch leading a multiracial band of bros on a black ops mission to eliminate guerrillas in a Central American jungle, only to be butchered by an invisible stalker from space.

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Some 20% of new marriages in the U.S. are between people of different races, and their children are multiracial.

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The BEE legislation requires companies to offer ownership stakes, jobs and other preferences to historically disadvantaged South Africans, including Black, Indian and multiracial people.

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Black Members, like white Members, win seats more often by appealing to multiracial coalitions.

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But that also isn’t reason to despair: in cities across America, whatever their faults, majorities have assembled multiracial coalitions based on tolerance and mutual respect.

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Related Words

• multicultural