jus soli
noun
jus so·li
ˈyüs-ˈsō-ˌlē 
: a rule that the citizenship of a child is determined by the place of the child's birth : birthright citizenship compare jus sanguinis
Examples of jus soli in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Originating in English common law, jus soli serves as the basis for citizenship in nearly every nation-state in the Western Hemisphere.
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Wang argued that the amendment incorporates the English common law principle of jus soli — citizenship by birthplace — under which nearly all persons born within a country’s territory are citizens.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
In the United States, Republicans tried to eliminate jus soli citizenship in 1995, a year before Congress passed the Latino Exclusion Act.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
In 1898, the Supreme Court in United States v. Wong Kim Ark held that the Fourteenth Amendment codified the long-standing common-law rule of jus soli.
—James Sample, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2025
To guard against the tyranny of the majority, for example, India defined citizenship entirely by the principle of jus soli—place of birth—rather than by ascriptive markers such as religion, wealth, or race.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
Birthright citizenship, also called jus soli (the right of the soil), has helped integrate new generations of Americans into our society.
—Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
In reality, several countries—especially in the Americas—grant unrestricted birthright citizenship (jus soli), including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
This is the policy most often followed, though some countries adhere to the alternative concept of jus soli, or right of soil, which confers citizenship on a child according to the location in which they are born.
—Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2024
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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Wang argued that the amendment incorporates the English common law principle of jus soli — citizenship by birthplace — under which nearly all persons born within a country’s territory are citizens.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026
In the United States, Republicans tried to eliminate jus soli citizenship in 1995, a year before Congress passed the Latino Exclusion Act.
—Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
In 1898, the Supreme Court in United States v. Wong Kim Ark held that the Fourteenth Amendment codified the long-standing common-law rule of jus soli.
—James Sample, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2025
To guard against the tyranny of the majority, for example, India defined citizenship entirely by the principle of jus soli—place of birth—rather than by ascriptive markers such as religion, wealth, or race.
—Ashley J. Tellis, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2025
Birthright citizenship, also called jus soli (the right of the soil), has helped integrate new generations of Americans into our society.
—Thomas Wenski, Sun Sentinel, 20 May 2025
In reality, several countries—especially in the Americas—grant unrestricted birthright citizenship (jus soli), including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
This is the policy most often followed, though some countries adhere to the alternative concept of jus soli, or right of soil, which confers citizenship on a child according to the location in which they are born.
—Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Jan. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Jus soli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jus%20soli. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
jus soli
noun
jus so·li
-ˈsō-ˌlī, -lē
: a rule of law that a child's citizenship is determined by his or her place of birth
Etymology
Latin, right of the soil
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