liberation

noun

lib·​er·​a·​tion ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of liberating : the state of being liberated

2

: a movement seeking equal rights and status for a group

women's liberation

liberationist

ˌli-bə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms of liberation

• emancipation

Examples of liberation in a Sentence

The liberation of the city took weeks.

the liberation of the slaves was one of the key results of the Civil War

Recent Examples on the Web

Rama attains liberation after renouncing the world, while Lakshmana’s violent actions lead him to hell before a spiritual ascent later. — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

In Fitzgerald’s heyday, barely-there bobs were a symbol of youth, rebellion, and liberation. — Molly Mulshine, InStyle, 30 Oct. 2026

In one of the final battles before the liberation of Paris, French Resistance forces fought more than a thousand Nazi troops at the Place de la République. — Maurice Samuels, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

The teenage activist who followed liberation movements around the world still has a fascination with foreign policy. — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English liberacion "deliverance," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "action of freeing," borrowed from Latin līberātiōn-, līberātiō "setting free, release, acquittal," from līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at liberate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing liberation

• liberation theology

Rhymes for liberation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

liberation

noun

lib·​er·​a·​tion ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of liberating : the state of being liberated

2

: a movement seeking equal rights for a group