1
: an allowable margin of freedom or variation : tolerance
The new rules allow managers greater leeway in making decisions.
2
a
: off-course lateral movement of a ship when underway
The sailboat's centerboard helps to reduce leeway.
b
: the angle between the heading and the track of an airplane
Examples of leeway in a Sentence
They give their students leeway to try new things.
you will be given some leeway in choosing how to carry out the project
Recent Examples on the Web
In a recent client note, Thomas argued that real interest rates, or the difference between nominal rates and inflation, were much higher under Greenspan and thus more restrictive then, giving the Fed leeway.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Some teams hear that Feliciano and Jones, while not yet approved, plan to grant him greater financial leeway.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 4 June 2026
This includes providing the Colombian military more leeway in the field, signing a new security agreement with Washington and building 10 mega-prisons that mimic Bukele’s network of penitentiaries in El Salvador.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
In practice, reformers say, bail amounts have largely been set by vibes, with judges given broad leeway to use discretion.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 5 June 2026
Some teams hear that Feliciano and Jones, while not yet approved, plan to grant him greater financial leeway.
—Levi Weaver, New York Times, 4 June 2026
This includes providing the Colombian military more leeway in the field, signing a new security agreement with Washington and building 10 mega-prisons that mimic Bukele’s network of penitentiaries in El Salvador.
—Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026
In practice, reformers say, bail amounts have largely been set by vibes, with judges given broad leeway to use discretion.
—Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leeway
noun
lee·way
ˈlē-ˌwā 
1
: sideways movement of a ship when under way
2
: an extra amount (as of room or time) that allows some freedom or variation
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