profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ 

: the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies

consumer profiling

specifically : the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior

racial profiling

Examples of profiling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The identification was the result of major breakthroughs in the science of DNA profiling. —Ben Brachfeld, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024

If indeed focused on immigrants of Chinese descent, Trump’s deportation policies are likely to be challenged legally as a blatant example of racial profiling. —Aarne Heikkila, NBC News, 19 Dec. 2024

The following week, Bush expressed concerns about the racial profiling of Arab Americans during a debate with Al Gore, the Democratic nominee. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 2 Nov. 2024

The show includes information about their escape routes and personal accounts of racial profiling by German police, as well as feeling trapped and unsure about wanting to stay in Germany. —The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

profiling

noun

pro·​fil·​ing

: the practice of singling out persons for law enforcement procedures on the basis of predetermined characteristics

specifically : the discriminatory practice of profiling based on race or ethnicity

racial profiling