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, Trump’s orders would end accountability for future civil rights violations, justifying an officer’s unlawful acts if Trump’s appointees determine them as relevant, valid, and necessary public safety enforcement functions.
—
Arnold Kriss, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Guests follow civil rights history through the building, ending at Room 306 and its balcony where King was standing when he was shot.
—Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Churches and synagogues anchored the civil rights movement, with pastors like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preaching equality.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
In 2021, Chauvin also pleaded guilty to a federal charge of violating Floyd's civil rights and was sentenced to 21 years behind bars.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil rights
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Arnold Kriss, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Guests follow civil rights history through the building, ending at Room 306 and its balcony where King was standing when he was shot.
—Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
Churches and synagogues anchored the civil rights movement, with pastors like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preaching equality.
—Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
In 2021, Chauvin also pleaded guilty to a federal charge of violating Floyd's civil rights and was sentenced to 21 years behind bars.
—Nicole Acosta, People.com, 15 May 2025
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 29 May. 2025.
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