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 movement

Examples of civil rights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The racially motivated attack, carried out by members of the Ku Klux Klan, intensified national outrage and was a catalyst for major civil rights advancements. —The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2024

Named for the late congressman and civil rights leader, the bill includes provisions specific to Indigenous voters. —Christopher Lomahquahu and Eshaan Sarup, USA TODAY, 15 Sep. 2024

With the rise of anti-Israel activity on campus, antisemitic incidents skyrocketed, leading to many Jewish students feeling unsafe on campus, over 100 civil rights investigations being launched due to reports of antisemitism, and thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters being arrested. —Peter Cordi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 14 Sep. 2024

Pritzker said our maps, borders, civil rights, weapons, technology and even fashion, like the wristwatch and trench coats, owe some credit to World War I. —Democrat-Gazette Staff and Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see civil

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

civil rights

plural noun

: the nonpolitical rights of a citizen

especially : the rights of personal liberty guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress