animal rights

American

plural noun

the rights of animals, claimed on ethical grounds, to the same humane treatment and protection from exploitation and abuse that are accorded to humans.

animal rights British

plural noun

1. the rights of animals to be protected from exploitation and abuse by humans
2. ( as modifier )
  
  the animal-rights lobby

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of animal rights

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Since the Istanbul match, Catan has received animal rights organisation PETA's "Hero to Animals award".

From Barron's

Animal rights groups say this case highlights the poor living conditions of captive tigers used for entertainment in Thailand.

From BBC

A group of animal rights protestors gathered outside the court ahead of sentencing.

From BBC

A protest was staged by an animal rights group over plans to move her to the site.

From BBC

Regardless of what the city decides, it is the state of New York that has authority over business rules, said Allie Taylor, president of Voters for Animal Rights.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023