equal protection

noun

: a guarantee under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that a state must treat an individual or class of individuals the same as it treats other individuals or classes in like circumstances

Examples of equal protection in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Broadnax, a Black man, has previously argued his capital murder trial infringed on his constitutional rights, citing the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of equal protection and due process. —Jamie Landers, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026

According to the complaint, the state agencies are violating the California constitution, including its equal protection and free exercise clauses, by allegedly failing to take action against antisemitic discrimination in the state’s public schools. —City News Service, Daily News, 28 Feb. 2026

The state Constitution’s strong equal protection clause has kept most districts in check for years, Lhamon said. —Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

Due process, equal protection, gun rights, free speech, freedom of religion, voting rights and all other rights are protected by processes. —Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for equal protection

• interconnection
• microinjection
• superinfection
• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection

Legal Definition

equal protection

noun

: a guarantee under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that a state must treat an individual or class of individuals the same as it treats other individuals or classes in like circumstances

called also equal protection of the law

see also rational basis test, strict scrutiny, suspect classification

Note: The equal protection requirement of the Constitution protects against legislation that affects individuals differently without a rational basis for doing so. In reviewing claims of denial of equal protection, a court will uphold legislation that has a rational basis unless the legislation affects a fundamental right or involves a suspect classification, such as race. In such a case, the court will use a strict scrutiny standard of review and will strike down legislation that does not show a compelling need for discriminating.