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
Brooke Rollins has taken the heat from conservative pundits and voters alike, after Trump seemed to float the idea of giving farm and hospitality laborers leeway in immigration crackdowns.
—
USA Today, 12 July 2025
That would have given him enough leeway to meet Nick Kyrgios in the Dog and Fox.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
In a letter seeking to keep him behind bars, prosecutors listed sentencing guidelines ranging from 51 to 63 months, or just over five years, and the judge has significant leeway in deciding his sentence.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
And while there is a way to amend a claiming decision (within a certain timeframe), that leeway shouldn't be used as an excuse to make a poor decision in the here and now.
—Amy Wagner, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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USA Today, 12 July 2025
That would have given him enough leeway to meet Nick Kyrgios in the Dog and Fox.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
In a letter seeking to keep him behind bars, prosecutors listed sentencing guidelines ranging from 51 to 63 months, or just over five years, and the judge has significant leeway in deciding his sentence.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
And while there is a way to amend a claiming decision (within a certain timeframe), that leeway shouldn't be used as an excuse to make a poor decision in the here and now.
—Amy Wagner, The Enquirer, 2 July 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 26 Jul. 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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