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human rights

American  
[hyoo-muhn rahyts, yoo‑] / ˈhyu mən ˈraɪts, ˈyu‑ /

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.

human rights British  

plural noun

  1. the rights of individuals to liberty, justice, etc

"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
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

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

Caroline joined the Journal from the Guardian, where she served as East Africa global development correspondent, reporting extensively across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania on issues spanning human rights, technology, climate, culture and politics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Antonio was also asked by BBC Sport about Qatar's human rights record, and whether that was something he had thought about when agreeing to the move.

From BBC

UN experts, including the special rapporteur on human rights for Iran Mai Sato, stress that internet restrictions and widespread detentions make it "impossible to determine the true scale of the violent crackdown" at this stage.

From BBC

I believed that we all cared about the same things: climate stability, freedom, safety, justice, basic human rights and dignity for everyone.

From The Wall Street Journal

The reality of keeping Black men, women, and children enslaved was unjust, a violation of human rights, and contrary to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” the founding ideals of the United States.

From Literature

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.