civil rights

plural noun

: the nonpolitical rights of a citizen
especially : the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress
was charged with violating the victim's civil rights

Examples of civil rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web As a result, Luis Asencio-Cordero, who is from El Salvador, has been separated from his wife, Los Angeles civil rights attorney Sandra Muñoz, since 2015. Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024 Exploring the civil rights struggle, the Cambodian genocide and the experience of Bedouin communities in Palestine, the seven projects selected for out-of-competition slots all needed to reflect new forms of embodiment and empathy. Ben Croll, Variety, 23 Apr. 2024 Under Williams’ leadership, Glide has been at the forefront of many civil rights causes that have shaped Bay Area history. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024 This line of argument has received support from some civil rights organizations. Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 22 Apr. 2024 The reduction in Casper’s punishment comes as Louisville Metro Government negotiates a consent decree with the federal government following the Department of Justice’s scathing 2023 report on civil rights violations carried out by LMPD. The Courier-Journal, 22 Apr. 2024 Groups pressing for an expansion of civil rights decried Mrs. LaHaye’s activities. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024 The first Free Day + Celebration was Feb. 18, which was held in honor of Milwaukee civil rights activist Vel Phillips. Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2024 Best of The Bee: Will California Assembly retail theft plan satisfy civil rights groups, Prop. 47 opponents? Andrew Sheeler, Sacramento Bee, 11 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'civil rights.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see civil

First Known Use

circa 1614, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civil rights was circa 1614

Dictionary Entries Near civil rights

Cite this Entry

“Civil rights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20rights. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

civil rights

noun plural
: the nonpolitical rights of a citizen
especially : the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress

More from Merriam-Webster on civil rights

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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