# habeas

/ˈhæbiəs/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/habeas
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a legal term that refers to a person's right to be taken to court to explain why they are being held in prison. It is often used in the phrase 'habeas corpus'.

For teachers: a legal principle or writ that allows a person to challenge the legality of their detention. Often used in the Latin phrase 'habeas corpus', which translates to 'you shall have the body'.

## Examples

- The lawyer argued that the habeas corpus was violated.
- The judge ruled that the habeas corpus petition was valid and ordered the prisoner's release.
- The constitutional right to habeas corpus serves as a fundamental check on executive power, ensuring that individuals are not held in custody without a fair judicial review.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.