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

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

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

Kyiv has said it will honour international human rights obligations which prevent the forced repatriation of prisoners of war.

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

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

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

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

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2026

Song was the executive director of Liberty in North Korea, the human rights group that had helped bring him to the United States.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

Related Words

• civil rights