Phrase guide

critical race theory

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A movement in academia involving the application of critical theory to issues surrounding the interaction between racial dynamics and social and legal power.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 2016, Gloria Ladson-Billings, "The Evolving Role of Critical Race Theory in Educational Scholarship", in: Adrienne D. Dixson, Celia K. Rousseau Anderson, Jamel K. Donnor (ed.), Critical Race Theory in Education: All God's Children Got a Song, Routledge, page It seems hard to believe that a decade has gone by since the term "critical race theory" was introduced into educational scholarship, and at the same time it is a very appropriate interval at which to take stock of where we are.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: CRT

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 批判性種族理論 /批判性种族理论 (pīpànxìng zhǒngzú lǐlùn) — Translations
  • French: théorie critique de la race — Translations
  • German: kritische Rassentheorie — Translations
  • Japanese: 批判的人種理論 (hihanteki jinshu riron) — Translations
  • Polish: krytyczna teoria rasy — Translations
  • Swedish: kritisk rasteori — Translations