birthright

American  

[burth-rahyt] / ˈbɜrθˌraɪt /

noun

1. any right or privilege to which a person is entitled by birth.

   Democracy maintains that freedom is a birthright.

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birthright British  

/ ˈbɜːθˌraɪt /

noun

1. privileges or possessions that a person has or is believed to be entitled to as soon as he is born

2. the privileges or possessions of a first-born son

3. inheritance; patrimony

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Etymology

Origin of birthright

First recorded in 1525–35; birth + right

Example Sentences

For too long, U.S. air dominance has been taken for granted—but it isn’t an American birthright.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

He left the oral arguments over birthright citizenship early, as if he were Charlie Brown and Chief Justice John Roberts were Lucy yanking the football away from him at the last second.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

I’m the beneficiary of birthright citizenship three times over.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Wang took the position that the set of exceptions to birthright citizenship is closed.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

What’s more, Rome refused to recognize Mark Antony’s marriage to Cleopatra and would not accept Caesarion’s birthright as Caesar’s son.

From "Sterling Biographies®: Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen" by Susan Blackaby