birthright

noun

birth·​right ˈbərth-ˌrīt How to pronounce birthright (audio)
: a right, privilege, or possession to which a person is entitled by birth

Examples of birthright in a Sentence

the freedom that is our birthright believed that the house was her birthright
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.
Bonta launched his first volley of litigation the day after Trump took office and signed an executive order to eliminate birthright citizenship. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2025 Coughenour in February indefinitely blocked President Trump’s executive order to restrict birthright citizenship, while McConnell in January blocked the administration’s federal aid freeze. Ella Lee, The Hill, 31 July 2025 Another option for ending birthright citizenship for the purposes laid out in Trump's order would be to amend the 14th Amendment. John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 But just weeks later, Barrett stunned critics by authoring the majority opinion in a 6-3 ruling that backed Trump’s executive order temporarily curbing birthright citizenship. Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for birthright

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of birthright was in 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Birthright.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birthright. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

birthright

noun
birth·​right -ˌrīt How to pronounce birthright (audio)
: a right or possession that a person is entitled to by birth

More from Merriam-Webster on birthright

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