bill of rights

noun phrase

variants or Bill of Rights

: a document containing a formal statement of rights

a patients' bill of rights

specifically : a summary of fundamental rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against violation by the state

—used especially of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) first proposed such a bill of rights a year ago, and has been taking comments and refining the idea ever since. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

bill of rights

often capitalized B&R

: a statement of basic rights and privileges guaranteed to a people

especially : the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution

Legal Definition

bill of rights

-ˈrīts

often capitalized B&R

: a summary of fundamental rights and privileges guaranteed to a people against violation by the government;

— esp, cap B&R : the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution