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

The high court will take up a case in its next term that will deal with whether a state law limiting female sports to biological women violates Title IX or the equal protection clause. —Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 29 Aug. 2025

Together with the Civil War Amendments, outlawing slavery and involuntary servitude and ensuring all citizens equal protection of the laws and due process of law, the Bill of Rights stands as a constant guardian of individual liberty. —Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Aug. 2025

Courts have affirmed counting everyone since the 14th Amendment that addressed citizenship and equal protection rights after the Civil War. —Ronald J. Hansen, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2025

When districts are drawn to dilute their votes, the message is that citizenship is conditional and equal protection negotiable. —Vince Perez, Time, 20 Aug. 2025

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.