civil rights
plural noun
: rights that citizens are guaranteed by their government through legislation or other government action to ensure equal opportunities (as for employment, education, housing, or voting) and equal protection under the law regardless of personal characteristics such as race, religion, or sex
especially
: the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress
Note: The 13th Amendment (ratified 1865) abolished slavery and the 14th Amendment (ratified 1868) granted citizenship and equal rights to all people born or naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people and African Americans generally. The 15th Amendment (ratified 1870) guaranteed the right to vote regardless of color or former enslavement.
compare civil liberty see also civil rights movementExamples of civil rights in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Colorado attorney general oversees more than 700 attorneys and staff and manages legal manners spanning consumer protection, civil rights, criminal, water, constitutional and environmental law.
—
Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
The group advocates for civil rights protections for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The Education Department’s civil rights office had long been the last resort for parents who believe their child is facing discrimination at school, with a mandate to review all complaints.
—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Meanwhile, immigrant rights and civil rights groups, as well as some South Florida officials, celebrated the decision.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil rights
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Jesse Sarles,
CBS News,
1 July 2026
The group advocates for civil rights protections for Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
1 July 2026
The Education Department’s civil rights office had long been the last resort for parents who believe their child is facing discrimination at school, with a mandate to review all complaints.
—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Meanwhile, immigrant rights and civil rights groups, as well as some South Florida officials, celebrated the decision.
—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil rights
Cite this Entry
“Civil rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20rights. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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