Civil Rights Movement
noun
variants
or less commonly American Civil Rights Movement
: a movement (see movement sense 2b(1)) for racial equality in the U.S. that came to prominence in the 1950s and 1960s
Examples of Civil Rights Movement in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time.
—
Matt Brown, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Jackson's life included work as a globe-trotting humanitarian, a champion for a progressive economic agenda and leadership of the Civil Rights Movement that was once led by King, Jackson's mentor.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Jackson, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, was a hugely influential voice in the Civil Rights Movement.
—Allison Kiehl, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for Civil Rights Movement
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.
Matt Brown, Arkansas Online, 21 Feb. 2026
In 2020, Congressman John Lewis, another veteran of the Civil Rights Movement, was the first Black lawmaker to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda after a ceremony honoring his legacy was held outside on the Capitol steps due to pandemic restrictions at the time.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Jackson's life included work as a globe-trotting humanitarian, a champion for a progressive economic agenda and leadership of the Civil Rights Movement that was once led by King, Jackson's mentor.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Jackson, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, was a hugely influential voice in the Civil Rights Movement.
—Allison Kiehl, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for Civil Rights Movement
Cite this Entry
“Civil Rights Movement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Civil%20Rights%20Movement. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
