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
The plan is to not let there be any leeway for those who look to conduct violence or disrupt peaceful demonstrators, the official says.
—
Nbc News, NBC news, 14 June 2025
However, Stage is leaving some leeway for the ministry to reverse course.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 June 2025
Now, balls must pass FIFA’s ‘Quality Programme for Footballs’ test, which gives about a 10 per cent leeway for balls in circumference, weight and pressure.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 June 2025
That was partly because NYPD approached Thursday with significantly less leeway, actively breaking up the crowd less than a half hour after the game ended.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Nbc News, NBC news, 14 June 2025
However, Stage is leaving some leeway for the ministry to reverse course.
—Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 12 June 2025
Now, balls must pass FIFA’s ‘Quality Programme for Footballs’ test, which gives about a 10 per cent leeway for balls in circumference, weight and pressure.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 8 June 2025
That was partly because NYPD approached Thursday with significantly less leeway, actively breaking up the crowd less than a half hour after the game ended.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 30 May 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 30 Jun. 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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