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

“I’m transparent about the fact that you’ll know exactly how I feel about censorship — and it’s because in the Library Bill of Rights, it’s my responsibility to fight against it on your behalf.”

From Salon • Apr. 26, 2026

In the early 1980s, Canada was seeking to repatriate its constitution from the United Kingdom and to incorporate a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, similar to the US Bill of Rights.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Ms. Humphries is senior director of civic learning initiatives at the Bill of Rights Institute.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

“The Insurance Policyholder Bill of Rights guarantees that people who invest in wildfire mitigation get coverage and prevents companies from canceling people simply because they file a claim,” Rosenfield said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 22, 2025

Then, to top it off, he had drafted and ushered the Bill of Rights through the First Congress.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis