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

However, it was accused of prompting racial profiling toward Asian scholars in the U.S. Earlier this month, the House passed a bill to revive the program. —Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 25 Sep. 2024

This means monitoring, profiling and continually improving data quality to maintain integrity across all systems. —Mike Capone, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

Early polls suggest Latinos in Arizona and Nevada — battleground states where immigration raids and racial profiling have been big concerns — are leaning toward Harris over Donald Trump. —Erin Doherty, Axios, 17 Sep. 2024

This incident ignited a national debate on racial profiling and Islamophobia, culminating in an invitation to the White House for Mohamed from President Barack Obama. —The Arizona Republic, 14 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