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

This should matter to folks on the left and the right, to those who venerate higher education and those who vote in favor of states’ rights against federal overreach.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

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

So, in 1791, the American people, working through their respective states, ratified the 10th Amendment, thereby assuring the principle of states’ rights, also known as federalism.

From Washington Times • Mar. 7, 2023

Among them was Sargent Prentiss Freeling, a former Oklahoma attorney general and a staunch advocate of states’ rights.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann