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
At the same time, groups like the nonpartisan Latino Victory Project, which focuses on developing Hispanic political leadership, said this current moment should not distract from the still-ongoing civil rights battles.
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ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
The Fort Worth city council has rescinded part of a resolution that honorarily named a north Fort Worth thoroughfare after now disgraced civil rights icon Cesar Chavez.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
How a childhood experience shaped Lucas' views As a child growing up in Ohio, Lucas experienced a series of events that would shape her views on employment and civil rights.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
In its most recent civil rights report, CAIR says complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have increased nationwide.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2026
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ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
The Fort Worth city council has rescinded part of a resolution that honorarily named a north Fort Worth thoroughfare after now disgraced civil rights icon Cesar Chavez.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
How a childhood experience shaped Lucas' views As a child growing up in Ohio, Lucas experienced a series of events that would shape her views on employment and civil rights.
—Andrea Hsu, NPR, 31 Mar. 2026
In its most recent civil rights report, CAIR says complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have increased nationwide.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 30 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2026.
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