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

Immigration is primarily a federal responsibility, but Texas should not undermine due process or civil liberties. —Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026

Once in office, Putin installed Vadim as an adviser to help consolidate his administration into an autocracy responsible for the suppression of civil liberties, for wars in Chechnya and Ukraine, and for a campaign of disinformation and interference in Western democracies. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 13 May 2026

Their presence raised criticism from immigration advocacy and civil liberties organizations, who argued that ICE would intimidate travelers who feared they would be targeted for arrest. —Julia Ainsley, NBC news, 13 May 2026

Public safety and civil liberties are not in conflict here. —Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 7 May 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