privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

 especially British  ˈpri-

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion

b

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion

one's right to privacy

2

a

: secrecy

b

: a private matter : secret

3

archaic : a place of seclusion

Synonyms

• solitude
• isolation

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy.

Celebrities have a right to privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other reputational risks companies mentioned included privacy and data risks, hallucinations, competitive threats, and issues with bias and fairness. —Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025

With grief comes diminished critical thinking from even the hardiest of privacy diehards. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Your privacy is a blessing right now, Libra. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025

The eight-story building, with a high-end furniture showroom occupying the ground floor, has fewer than 10 residences, adding to its sense of privacy. —Mark David, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing privacy

• invade someone's privacy
• invasion of (someone's) privacy

Kids Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being out of the sight and hearing of other people : seclusion

the privacy of the home

b

: freedom from being intruded upon

one's right to privacy

2

: secrecy sense 2

talk in privacy

Legal Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion : state of being let alone and able to keep certain especially personal matters to oneself see also expectation of privacy, invasion of privacy, privacy interest at interest sense 3b, right of privacy, Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade