Birthright Meaning
/ˈbɝθ.ɹaɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounSomething a person is entitled to due to the circumstances of their birth, such as an inheritance or citizenship.
Sentence Examples
And Jacob said to him: Sell me thy first birthright.
He answered: Lo I die, what will the first birthright avail me?
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the novel, the exiled prince believed the throne was his legitimate ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In some cultures, the eldest son has a special ____ to the property.
Word Origin & History
From birth + right. Compare West Frisian berterjocht (“birthright”), Dutch geboorterecht (“birthright”), German Geburtsrecht (“birthright”). Compare also Icelandic frumburðarréttur (“birthright”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Not only has suburban life separated the great concentrated masses of our people from their birthright of meadows, fields and woods; of Nature, in her untamed splendour and mystery, most of them have never had so much as a momentary glimpse."
— 1922, Eleanour Sinclair Rohde, The Old English Herbals, London: Longmans, Green and Co., page 13:
"Though it's the birthright of man to unify and live his life as one / A whisper of the word will let you soar with your soul"
— 1973, “California Saga (The Beaks Of Eagles)”, in Robinson Jeffers (lyrics), Holland, performed by The Beach Boys:
"But a practically solo sequence of Dany walking through her old empty house without saying anything for minutes on end is, let’s say, a lot to ask of Emilia Clarke. She’s back at Dragonstone to reclaim her birthright, the seven or so kingdoms."
— 2017 July 16, Brandon Nowalk, “Chickens and dragons come home to roost on Game Of Thrones (newbies)”, in The Onion AV Club, archived from the original on 25 Jul 2017:
"For one, it clearly states that American citizenship is a birthright for all people who are born on American soil — something that President Donald Trump has announced he wants to end."
— 2025 January 21, AJ Willingham, “What the 14th Amendment says about birthright citizenship”, in CNN:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
In the novel, the exiled prince believed the throne was his legitimate ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In some cultures, the eldest son has a special ____ to the property.