human rights

American  

[hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑] / ˈhyu mən ˈraɪts, ˈyu‑ /

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

Celia is a master's candidate at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, where she studies business and data reporting, and an alumna of Barnard College, where she studied anthropology and human rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Goldman didn’t, arguing the U.S. already had legislation to condition arms sales on respect for human rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

The foundation of Narges Mohammadi, the jailed Iranian Nobel peace prize winner, praised Satrapi as "a fearless voice for feminism, human rights, and freedom".

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

In October 2025, Seoul apologised for the first time for state-sanctioned malpractices, saying "unjust human rights violations" were committed.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

SWAN: The OAS is here investigating human rights abuses.

From "Before We Were Free" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• civil rights