Black Lives Matter

American  

[blak lahyvz mat-er] / ˈblæk ˈlaɪvz ˈmæt ər /

noun

1. a political and social movement originating among African Americans, emphasizing basic human rights and racial equality for Black people and campaigning against various forms of racism. BLM, B.L.M.

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Etymology

Origin of Black Lives Matter

First recorded in 2013; the slogan that arose from the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on social media after George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager

Example Sentences

In 2020 Jonas received backlash for an Instagram post he made in solidarity with Black Americans following the murder of George Floyd, amid growing Black Lives Matter protests.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

We’ve seen the advent of marriage equality, the #MeToo movement, the Black Lives Matter movement—there’s just been a lot of change afoot, and we’re seeing a real backlash to that.

From Slate • Mar. 10, 2026

The Black Lives Matter movement mobilized people all over the world and from all racial backgrounds.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026

The song, originally written as a poem in 1899, has been part of the pre-game show since 2021, when it was added in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

Typical of Black Lives Matter individuals who participated in the Ferguson demonstrations is activist and educator Brittany Packnett, who states that the death of Michael Brown deepened her commitment to social justice.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler