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
An appealing presence with mostly TV credits under her belt, Sidhu gives Jassi some sense of stubbornly dreamy fight, though newcomer Sood finds less expressive leeway in the script.
—
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Oct. 2023
Performers in streaming is a still broad category, and one that gives SAG officials significant leeway in handing out cash.
—Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Nov. 2023
As the Financial Times notes in its report, the current, century-old rules don’t give countries enough leeway to tax companies operating on their turf without a physical presence.
—Bydavid Meyer, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2023
But prosecutors rarely appeal sentences because judges have great leeway to fashion sentences after a 2005 Supreme Court decision called Booker v U.S., which made sentencing guidelines advisory rather than mandatory.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
The amendment to federal hazardous waste handling law allows for leeway in disposing of some categories of waste, like mining contaminants.
—Michelle Deininger, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
The law has prompted districts that once gave teachers some leeway over cellphone use in their classrooms to introduce stricter rules.
—Natasha Singer, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023
The two men spoke on the phone Wednesday afternoon, according to the White House.
GOP Rep. Scott Perry, a conservative member from Pennsylvania, said Tuesday that members will likely give Johnson some leeway on government spending bills.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2023
Hulu has leeway to test commercials that rivals like Amazon and Netflix do not.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2023
See More
Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Oct. 2023
Performers in streaming is a still broad category, and one that gives SAG officials significant leeway in handing out cash.
—Rebecca Keegan, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Nov. 2023
As the Financial Times notes in its report, the current, century-old rules don’t give countries enough leeway to tax companies operating on their turf without a physical presence.
—Bydavid Meyer, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2023
But prosecutors rarely appeal sentences because judges have great leeway to fashion sentences after a 2005 Supreme Court decision called Booker v U.S., which made sentencing guidelines advisory rather than mandatory.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
The amendment to federal hazardous waste handling law allows for leeway in disposing of some categories of waste, like mining contaminants.
—Michelle Deininger, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Aug. 2023
The law has prompted districts that once gave teachers some leeway over cellphone use in their classrooms to introduce stricter rules.
—Natasha Singer, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2023
The two men spoke on the phone Wednesday afternoon, according to the White House.
GOP Rep. Scott Perry, a conservative member from Pennsylvania, said Tuesday that members will likely give Johnson some leeway on government spending bills.
—Stefan Becket, CBS News, 25 Oct. 2023
Hulu has leeway to test commercials that rivals like Amazon and Netflix do not.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leeway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1669, in the meaning defined at sense 2a
Phrases Containing leeway
Articles Related to leeway
Dictionary Entries Near leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 8 Dec. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on leeway
Nglish: Translation of leeway for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of leeway for Arabic Speakers
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