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

A lengthy debate unfolds on the sheet of paper that holds the Senate markup of the Bill of Rights from 1789, and Washington’s signature towers above the Oath of Allegiance.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 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

One of the earliest examples of jury nullification in North America, this case influenced the Founders as they moved to guarantee public trials by jury in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 7, 2025

In Congress, she was an advocate for the Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights, which would establish the right to “decent, affordable and accessible housing, livable wages, and universal health care” among other protections.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2025

The Bill of Rights is contained in these ten changes that are now a permanent part of the Constitution.

From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements