English · Culture & Society
civil rights
/ˌsɪv.əl ˈraɪts/
[/ˌsɪv.əl ˈraɪts/]
rights of citizens
Intermediatenoun
Definition
The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality, protected by law. They include the right to vote, to equal treatment, and to be free from discrimination.
Example
The civil rights movement helped end legal segregation and expanded voting access for millions of citizens.
The civil rights movement helped end legal segregation and expanded voting access for millions of citizens.
Etymology
From 'civil' (Latin 'civilis', relating to citizens) and 'rights'.
How & Where It’s Used
Strongly associated with the U.S. movement of the 1950s and 1960s, and with equality struggles generally.
Literary Heritage
Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech (1963) became a defining text of the movement.