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

See Examples For:

human rights

It comes as MPs in the UK are seeking new laws on AI after a report found the technology was responsible for numerous abuses of human rights.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The organisation, which wants an end to IPPs, said the sentence "violates serious human rights".

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

"Existence cannot be banned or restricted. LGBTI+ rights are human rights!"

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

Ideally, we should be debating whether internet access or education are human rights.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

Farmer, who championed human rights and clearly was on the side of the poor, was arguing against it.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• civil rights