English · Culture & Society
rights
/raɪts/
[/raɪts/]
legal or moral entitlements
Beginnernoun
Definition
The freedoms and protections that a person is morally or legally entitled to. They define what individuals may do and how they must be treated.
Example
Workers have the right to fair pay and safe conditions in their workplace.
Workers have the right to fair pay and safe conditions in their workplace.
Etymology
Plural of 'right', from Old English 'riht' (just, correct), related to Latin 'rectus' (straight).
How & Where It’s Used
Central to legal, political, and human-rights discussion.