'racism' originates from the French word 'racisme', where 'race' meant 'a group of people with common ancestry' and '-isme' denoted a belief or ideology.

'racisme' transformed into the English word 'racism' in the early 20th century, reflecting the growing awareness and critique of racial discrimination.

Initially, it meant 'belief in the superiority of a particular race', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'prejudice or discrimination based on race'.