lais·sez-faire
| \ ˌle-ˌsā-ˈfer
, ˌlā-, -ˌzā- \
, ˌlā-, -ˌzā- \
Definition of laissez-faire
1
: a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights
argued that the problem with oil prices was too much laissez-faire
2
: a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference especially with individual freedom of choice and action
the university has a policy of laissez-faire regarding nonacademic student activities
Keep scrolling for more
Learn More About laissez-faire
Listen to Our Podcast About laissez-faire
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!
From the Editors at Merriam-Webster
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes
Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes
When each letter can be seen but not heard
Statistics for laissez-faire
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Laissez-faire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laissez-faire. Accessed 19 Sep. 2021.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for laissez-faire
laissez-faire
noun
English Language Learners Definition of laissez-faire
: a policy that allows businesses to operate with very little interference from the government
See the full definition for laissez-faire in the English Language Learners Dictionary
Test Your Vocabulary
Farm Idioms Quiz
-
- What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share laissez-faire
Time Traveler for laissez-faire
The first known use of laissez-faire was in 1814
See more words from the same year