animal rights

plural noun

1. 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

plural noun

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

      the animal-rights lobby

Word History and Origins

Origin of animal rights¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Bob Zimbal, third-generation owner of Zimbal Farms and Minkery, one of the state’s largest operations with about 100,000 minks, called the statement “propaganda,” and said animal rights groups are using the pandemic to try to shut down the industry.

From Washington Post

The profile also described Limbaugh using “Born Free” to open an animal rights update — a takedown of animal rights activists.

From Washington Post

Singer, who is also the author of the seminal 1975 book Animal Liberation that helped launch the animal rights movement, can now say it twice.

From Vox

He said he had to turn down bike-safety and animal rights groups that approached him about legislation.

From Washington Post

All of the women worked with an animal rights organization called Direct Action Everywhere.

From Voice of San Diego

Yes, animal rights activists are trying to ban the eating of cats and dogs in Switzerland.

From The Daily Beast

But the Playboy Playmate and hardcore animal-rights activist has long been a major-league advocate for the State of Israel.

From The Daily Beast

To some people, keeping orcas in metal cans is violent animal-rights abuse; to others it is apparently “normal and legal.”

From The Daily Beast

Armed guards kept animal rights activists shouting “assassins” at bay.

From The Daily Beast

Many Hollywood stars today care about the environment, or gay rights, or animal rights, or what have you.

From The Daily Beast