animal rights

plural noun

: rights (as to fair and humane treatment) regarded as belonging fundamentally to all animals
animal rightist noun

Examples of animal rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just like a Dairy Queen Blizzard. Runaway Cow was one of several vegan spots named by PETA in early June when the animal rights organization recognized Chicago as the top vegan-friendly city in the country. Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025 Think: the animal rights activists who broke into the primate research center. EW.com, 20 June 2025 Pressure from animal rights activists forced event planners to shutter a run that lasted nearly a century. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 June 2025 Following complaints from animal rights groups, police in Indonesia have arrested multiple videographers over the last two years. ArsTechnica, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for animal rights

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of animal rights was in 1845

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Cite this Entry

“Animal rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animal%20rights. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

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