privacy, right of

The doctrine, advanced by the Supreme Court most notably in Roe versus Wade, that the Constitution implicitly guarantees protection against activities that invade citizens' privacy. The Constitution does not explicitly mention a right of privacy, but the First Amendment's (see also First Amendment) protection of free speech, the Fourth Amendment's guarantee against “unreasonable searches and seizures,” the Ninth Amendment's reference to “other” rights, the Court has ruled, imply a right of privacy. This doctrine exemplifies broad construction. (See Griswold versus Connecticut.)