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

Too many organizations treat data privacy as a consumer issue, but the risk is strategic. —Sarah Choudhary, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Wraparound terraces are staggered for privacy and shade, and a dramatic canyon cuts through the center of the building, where a 75-foot-long translucent acrylic pool bridges the gap between the rooftop terraces of the building’s north and south wings—Miami’s first of its kind. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Aug. 2025

Her protagonist, like most of us, has so thoroughly surrendered her privacy that its absence hardly registers. —Book Marks august 7, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025

Burton said that selling fake cybersecurity and privacy apps, known as scareware, is big business for the group. —PC Magazine, 6 Aug. 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