states' rights

American  

plural noun

1. the rights belonging to the various states, especially with reference to the strict interpretation of the Constitution, by which all rights not delegated by the Constitution to the federal government belong to the states.

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states' rights British  

plural noun

1. the rights and powers generally conceded to the states, or all those powers claimed for the states under some interpretations of the Constitution

2. a doctrine advocating the severe curtailment of Federal powers by such an interpretation of the Constitution

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states' rights Cultural  

1. Rights guaranteed to the states under the principle of federalism. Under the Constitution, states have considerable autonomy to pass, enforce, and interpret their own laws and to pursue their own public policy programs. Proponents of states' rights argue that the states should be governed with a minimum of interference from the federal government.

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The relationship between federal and state responsibilities has often been controversial. Until the middle of the twentieth century, for example, the Supreme Court left the interpretation of many civil rights guarantees to the states, resulting in hostile and widespread discrimination against minorities.

Other Word Forms

• states righter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of states' rights

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

states' rights

The author also explores the sleight of intellect practiced by Jefferson, a slave owner who deplored slavery and used his rhetorical skills to cast the cause of states’ rights as a question of liberty.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

It’s a departure from Weber’s usual stance on states’ rights, which he has supported in the past on topics such as marriage laws, abortion, border security and voting.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2026

House of Representatives on Monday said they opposed a federal bill that would overturn a California animal welfare law, arguing it infringes on states' rights.

From Reuters ● Aug. 21, 2023

Move over John Calhoun, the legendary white supremacist whose love of states' rights and advocacy of nullification helped lead to the Civil War.

From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2023

Thus the seeds of states’ rights were sown in the hearts of Jean Louise’s generation.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee