freeman

noun

free·​man ˈfrē-mən How to pronounce freeman (audio)
-ˌman
1
: one enjoying civil or political liberty
2
: one having the full rights of a citizen

Example Sentences

after eight years of residency, you will be granted the status of freeman
Recent Examples on the Web Son of an African king, Venture Smith became the first black man to document his capture from Africa and life as an American slave and successful black freeman in Connecticut. courant.com, 28 Aug. 2019 Venture took the name Smith as his last name and lived a freeman in Stonington until 1774 before moving to East Haddam. courant.com, 28 Aug. 2019 The Buffalo Soldiers Museum in Houston, Texas The Buffalo Soldiers were a group of former slaves, freemen, and black Civil War soldiers who continued to serve America during peacetime. National Geographic, 23 May 2019 These men — consisting of former slaves, freemen and Black Civil War soldiers — were the first to serve during peacetime. Sue Ellen Ross, Post-Tribune, 18 May 2018 Once in a new land, Henson helped start in 1841 a freeman settlement called the British American Institute, in an area called Dawn, which became known as one of the final stops on the Underground Railroad. Jared Brock, Smithsonian, 16 May 2018 Harkless told The Oregonian's Joe freeman that timetable could be anywhere from 10 days to six weeks. Charlotte Carroll, SI.com, 27 Mar. 2018 Senior running back Royce freeman rushed for 160 yards, breaking LaMichael James' school record of 5,082 career rushing yards. Jen Beyrle, OregonLive.com, 21 Oct. 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'freeman.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of freeman was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near freeman

Cite this Entry

“Freeman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freeman. Accessed 20 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

freeman

noun
free·​man ˈfrē-mən How to pronounce freeman (audio)
-ˌman
: a free person : one who is not a slave

Biographical Definition

Freeman 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Free·​man ˈfrē-mən How to pronounce Freeman (audio)
Douglas Sou*thall ˈsau̇-ˌt͟hȯl How to pronounce Freeman (audio)
-ˌthȯl
1886–1953 American editor and historian

Freeman

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Mary Eleanor Wilkins 1852–1930 née Wilkins American writer

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