civil liberty

noun

plural civil liberties

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's speech or actions by other individuals or by the government especially as constitutionally guaranteed (as by the U.S. Bill of Rights)

—usually plural

Examples of civil liberties include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the right to due process of law.

—Ramon Martin

compare civil rights

civil libertarian noun

plural civil libertarians

Civil libertarians contend that the heightened scrutiny has discouraged illegal immigrants from seeking marriage, … a fundamental right protected under the Constitution.

—Randy Kennedy

civil libertarian adjective

… continued divisions within the GOP on civil libertarian issues.

—Ian Duncan and Lisa Mascaro

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

Recent Examples on the Web

It was used during World War II to justify the internment of Japanese Americans and has since become synonymous with some of the nation’s most shameful civil liberties violations. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2025

Today, amid a relentless wave of attacks on the LGBTQ community — particularly trans youth — and an unprecedented assault on immigrants, civil liberties and constitutional rights, organizers say the march’s mission feels more urgent than ever. —Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 27 June 2025

They can be used for mass surveillance, predictive policing, and manipulation of public opinion, raising many civil liberty dilemmas. —Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025

Since the revolution, citizens have continued to gather to exercise free speech and to debate what constitutes civil liberties and human rights at Faneuil Hall. —Lisa Meyers McClintick, USA Today, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's pursuits (as in expressing thoughts, practicing a religion, or pursuing a living) by individuals or especially by the government and especially as constitutionally guaranteed

—usually used in pl. see also civil right