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

In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that using race violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment—a ruling that set off concerns about the future of affirmative action for U.S. corporations. —Corinne Post, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

But that case turned on the language of a federal civil rights law and not the Constitution’s equal protection clause. —Melissa Brown, USA TODAY, 5 Dec. 2024

If the Court takes seriously the original public meaning of the equal protection clause, this case is no contest. —The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024

The outcome will influence what protections trans people can claim under the equal protection clause. —Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

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.