Meaning & use
Bill of Rights
Last updated
Meanings
proper nounproper
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which list basic individual freedoms.
Grammar: Capitalize 'Bill' and 'Rights'; use 'the' before it.
Patterns
- the Bill of Rights
- guaranteed by the Bill of Rights
The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights protects freedom of speech.
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791.
Many court cases involve the interpretation of the Bill of Rights.
proper nounproper
A similar document in another country that guarantees citizens' rights.
Grammar: Often with a country name: the Canadian Bill of Rights.
Patterns
- the Canadian Bill of Rights
- a bill of rights for something
The English Bill of Rights of 1689 limited the power of the king.
Canada adopted its own Bill of Rights in 1960.
Common combinations
- the Bill of Rights
- The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of religion.
- amend the Bill of Rights
- It is very difficult to amend the Bill of Rights.
- a bill of rights
- Some countries are considering a new bill of rights.
Practice
Which document contains the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
Choose one answer.
The Bill of Rights is the name for the first ten amendments. The Declaration of Independence announced separation from Britain, the Magna Carta is an English charter, and the Constitution is the main document that the amendments were added to.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “Bill of Rights”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.