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

Investigators said the driver may also face financial responsibilities for property damage, vehicle repairs, insurance costs and other civil liberties. — Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 25 June 2026

After the deaths of Good and Pretti, JD Vance appears unconcerned about civil liberties or the deaths of Americans. — Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Critics say Beijing’s promise to allow the city to maintain its Western-style civil liberties after the 1997 handover is increasingly threadbare. — ABC News, 24 June 2026

Starmer has, however, faced ongoing criticism from those in his own party over the death and devastation in Gaza, and his more right-leaning policies related to trans people, civil liberties, immigration and measures to tackle soaring inequality. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 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