Bill of Rights

American  

[bil uhv rahyts] / ˈbɪl əv ˈraɪts /

noun

1. the Bill of Rights, a formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, such as freedom of religion, speech, and the press, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1–10, and in all state constitutions.

2. Sometimes bill of rights a statement of the fundamental rights of the people of any nation.

3. Often bill of rights a statement of the rights belonging to or sought by any group.

   Our student bill of rights would include the right to dress as we please.

4. an English statute of 1689 confirming, with minor changes, the Declaration of Rights, which declared the rights and liberties of the subjects and settled the succession of William III and Mary II.

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Bill of Rights British  

noun

1. an English statute of 1689 guaranteeing the rights and liberty of the individual subject

2. the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, added in 1791, which guarantee the liberty of the individual

3. (in Canada) a statement of basic human rights and freedoms enacted by Parliament in 1960

4. (usually not capitals) any charter or summary of basic human rights

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Bill of Rights Cultural  

1. The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Among other provisions, they protect the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and the press (see First Amendment) (see also First Amendment); restrict governmental rights of search and seizure; and list several rights of persons accused of crimes (see Fifth Amendment).

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After the new Constitution was submitted to the states in 1787, several approved it only after being assured that it would have a bill of rights attached to it. Accordingly, these amendments were passed by the first Congress under the Constitution and were ratified by the states in 1791.

Etymology

Origin of Bill of Rights

First recorded in 1780–90 Bill of Rights for def. 1, 1760–70 Bill of Rights for def. 2, 1689 Bill of Rights for def. 4

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Bill of Rights

Across the nation, anti-Muslim fervor was so strong that Bush was compelled to explain to the American people that freedom of religion was still in the Bill of Rights.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026

He says he has kept fighting because he considers it his duty to make sure the Bill of Rights “actually means something.”

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2026

For many, it's a dream of freedom and individual rights that trace back to America's founding documents, such as the Bill of Rights.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

The Bill of Rights, attached later, is full of freedoms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 28, 2026

The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, is ratified, or approved, by the states in December.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis