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

Executive Order 12333 isn’t merely an alternative spying power, wrote Eddington, who focuses on homeland security and civil liberties at the Cato Institute. —ArsTechnica, 12 June 2026

Yunus is recognized for his advocacy against impunity in Indonesia, and his work on security sector reform and civil liberties. —ABC News, 10 June 2026

For the civil liberties measure, State of the States analyzed the freedom of the press, and noted that in 2020, the number of attacks on the press was four times higher compared to 2019 and 2022. —Aki Nace, CBS News, 9 June 2026

According to the documents, the pardon Bankman-Fried is seeking would restore civil liberties, including the right to vote or serve on a jury upon completion of his sentence. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 8 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