animal rights

American  

plural noun

1. the rights of animals, claimed on ethical grounds, to the same humane treatment and protection from exploitation and abuse that are accorded to humans.

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animal rights British  

plural noun

1. 1. the rights of animals to be protected from exploitation and abuse by humans

   2. ( as modifier )

      the animal-rights lobby

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Etymology

Origin of animal rights

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

He was vegetarian for much of his life, and was passionate about animal rights, environmental causes and funding for the arts.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 10, 2026

British animal rights campaigner and primatologist Dr Jane Goodall devoted her life to the study and conservation of chimpanzees and the other great apes.

From BBC • Dec. 31, 2025

The star of more than 50 films, she retired from the screen before her 40th birthday and spent years focused on animal rights activism.

From Salon • Dec. 29, 2025

French film legend Brigitte Bardot, a cinema icon of the 1950s and sixties who walked away from global stardom to become an animal rights protector, has died aged 91, her foundation said Sunday.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

Of course, many people in the animal rights movement thinks even a farm like Polyface is a “death camp.”

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan