human rights

American  

[hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑] / ˈhju mən ˈraɪts, ˈju‑ /

plural noun

1. fundamental rights, especially those believed to belong to an individual and in whose exercise a government may not interfere, as the rights to speak, associate, work, etc.

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human rights British  

plural noun

1. the rights of individuals to liberty, justice, etc

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human rights Cultural  

1. Freedom from arbitrary interference or restriction by governments. The term encompasses largely the same rights called civil liberties or civil rights but often suggests rights that have not been recognized.

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Political leaders in the United States often use the expression when speaking of rights violated by other nations.

Etymology

Origin of human rights

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

The other stockholder proposal focused on human rights, filed by the Presbyterian Church of the U.S., received support from just over 8% of votes.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

A majority of Palantir’s outside investors, 56%, supported an independent human rights probe.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

For young men like Bakary Jaiju, already prepared to risk everything, it is little deterrent; for human rights groups it brings new fears for asylum seekers and their struggle to be heard.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Volker Türk announced on Wednesday that he was sending a team of human rights investigators to Lebanon, at the request of the Lebanese government.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Dr. Dadoo, one of the leaders of the 1946 resistance, was a well-known Marxist whose role as a fighter for human rights had made him a hero to all groups.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• civil rights