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
In New York City this week, the potential candidates will gather to look to engage with Black civil rights leaders and voters.
—
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit — which alleges police violated the men’s civil rights, used excessive force and intentionally inflicted emotional stress — says that nearby supervisors failed to intervene.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Lunch at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant is essential — a James Beard Award-winning Creole institution where civil rights leaders met.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Stop for a meal at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, where civil rights leaders met — a James Beard Award-winning Creole institution.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civil rights
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Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
The lawsuit — which alleges police violated the men’s civil rights, used excessive force and intentionally inflicted emotional stress — says that nearby supervisors failed to intervene.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Lunch at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant is essential — a James Beard Award-winning Creole institution where civil rights leaders met.
—Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 7 Apr. 2026
Stop for a meal at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, where civil rights leaders met — a James Beard Award-winning Creole institution.
—Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 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 8 Apr. 2026.
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