civil rights

civil rights

The civil rights movement fought for equality and justice.

Definition
  1. Noun (plural noun):
    • Rights of personal liberty guaranteed by law: "civil rights" refer to the rights that individuals have to personal freedom and equal treatment under the law, especially protections against discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.
    • Rights of citizens to participate in society: In a broader sense, "civil rights" include the rights to vote, to use public facilities, to receive equal education, and to enjoy other basic freedoms in a democratic society.
Usage Examples
  • (A historical campaign to secure legal equality for a minority group.)
  • (Basic personal freedoms that belong to all people.)
  • (Specific legal protections for individual liberties.)
Advanced Usage

  • "civil rights activist": a person who campaigns for the protection and extension of civil rights.

    • Martin Luther King Jr. was a famous civil rights activist. (He worked to achieve legal equality for black Americans.)

  • "civil rights legislation": laws passed to protect civil rights.

    • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation. (A major law banning discrimination.)

  • "to violate someone's civil rights": to act in a way that infringes on a person's legal freedoms.

    • Police misconduct can violate a citizen's civil rights. (Unlawful actions by authorities that deny someone their rights.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Civil (adj): relating to citizens and their rights in society.

    • The civil court handles disputes between individuals. (Dealing with non-criminal matters.)

  • Civil liberties (n): fundamental individual freedoms protected from government interference, often overlapping with civil rights.

    • Freedom of speech is a key civil liberty. (A basic right to express opinions.)
Synonyms
  • Equal rights: rights that guarantee equal treatment for all people.
  • Human rights: rights inherent to all human beings, often broader than civil rights.
  • Constitutional rights: rights specifically protected by a nation's constitution.
Related Idioms

  • Fight for one's civil rights: to actively struggle to secure or defend equal treatment.

    • They had to fight for their civil rights in court. (They took legal action to preserve their freedoms.)

  • Civil rights under threat: a situation where these rights are endangered.

    • During times of war, civil rights can be under threat. (Basic freedoms may be limited by government actions.)