1
: an allowable margin of freedom or variation : tolerance
The new rules allow managers greater leeway in making decisions.
2
a
: off-course lateral movement of a ship when underway
The sailboat's centerboard helps to reduce leeway.
b
: the angle between the heading and the track of an airplane
Examples of leeway in a Sentence
They give their students leeway to try new things.
you will be given some leeway in choosing how to carry out the project
Recent Examples on the Web
Live interviews were once more common on the Sunday programs, but new willingness by the networks to allow for conversations that do not take place in the studio — spurred by precautions during the coronavirus pandemic — have given producers and guests new leeway.
—
Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The worse-than-expected data on manufacturing could give the Federal Reserve more leeway to cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in a couple of weeks.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Investors have given the company some leeway to invest for now.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Whereas the Games of the past have been hosted by a single city, there is now leeway for a cluster of cities or even an entire region to host the Games — case in point, the French Alps’s winning bid for the 2030 Winter Games.
—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The worse-than-expected data on manufacturing could give the Federal Reserve more leeway to cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in a couple of weeks.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2025
Investors have given the company some leeway to invest for now.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
Whereas the Games of the past have been hosted by a single city, there is now leeway for a cluster of cities or even an entire region to host the Games — case in point, the French Alps’s winning bid for the 2030 Winter Games.
—Blythe Lawrence, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leeway
noun
lee·way
ˈlē-ˌwā 
1
: sideways movement of a ship when under way
2
: an extra amount (as of room or time) that allows some freedom or variation
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