'abortion-rights' is a compound of 'abortion' and 'rights'. 'abortion' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'abortio' (from 'aboriri'), where the root meant 'to miscarry' or 'to fail to be born'; 'right' originates from Old English, specifically 'riht', where the root meant 'just' or 'proper'.

'abortion' passed into Middle English from Latin (via Old French forms such as 'abortion'), eventually becoming the modern English 'abortion'. 'right' developed from Old English 'riht' through Middle English into modern 'right', shifting from a general sense of what is just to a legal entitlement ('right').

Initially, 'abortion' referred chiefly to miscarriage or failure of a pregnancy to continue; over time it came to include deliberate medical termination of pregnancy. 'Right' initially meant what is just or proper and later evolved to include formal legal entitlements; combined, 'abortion-rights' now commonly denotes legal entitlements related to obtaining abortions.