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 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

Critics say the Western-style civil liberties that Beijing promised to maintain for 50 years after the handover have declined. — ABC News, 17 July 2026

Lam’s account shocked many people in the former British colony, which Beijing promised would maintain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after its return to China in 1997. — Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026

On Thursday, a federal judge sided with the civil liberties group. — Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Within the past week, three people have been killed, leading to an international outcry, roiling a key Senate race and raising concern among civil liberties experts that armed immigration agents continue to operate in America with impunity. — Amber Phillips, Washington Post, 15 July 2026

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