equal protection

noun

: a guarantee under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that a state must treat an individual or class of individuals the same as it treats other individuals or classes in like circumstances

Examples of equal protection in a Sentence

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The Justice Department this month received a federal judge’s permission to intervene in the case, alleging that the city’s actions violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the Fair Housing Act. — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026 The Justice Department this month received a federal judge's permission to intervene in the case, alleging that the city’s actions violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment and the Fair Housing Act. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 It is supposed to enforce anti-discrimination laws in housing, voting, education, and other sectors, to help fulfill the promise that all Americans are granted equal protection under the law. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Dearborn will continue to uphold the rights and dignity of every resident and remain a city where everyone is treated with fairness, respect, and equal protection under the law. — CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for equal protection

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of equal protection was in 1868

Rhymes for equal protection

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Browse Nearby Words

equal opportunity employer
equal protection
equal sign
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Cite this Entry

“Equal protection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equal%20protection. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Legal Definition

equal protection

noun
: a guarantee under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that a state must treat an individual or class of individuals the same as it treats other individuals or classes in like circumstances

called also equal protection of the law

see also rational basis test, strict scrutiny, suspect classification

Note: The equal protection requirement of the Constitution protects against legislation that affects individuals differently without a rational basis for doing so. In reviewing claims of denial of equal protection, a court will uphold legislation that has a rational basis unless the legislation affects a fundamental right or involves a suspect classification, such as race. In such a case, the court will use a strict scrutiny standard of review and will strike down legislation that does not show a compelling need for discriminating.

More from Merriam-Webster on equal protection

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about equal protection

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