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

Ebony Alert laws also address documented racial disparities in the Amber system that undermine equal protection and public safety. —Itay Ravid, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026

Across the country, courts are also upholding civil rights in cases involving voting access, free speech, equal protection and executive authority. —Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026

All New Yorkers should have equal protection. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2026

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

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.