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
At stake is the leeway presidents have to wield over trade measures as a tool of economic policy.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Grant the existing ones some leeway while employing cattle loss mitigation.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2025
Will e-bikes be given the same 10-mph leeway as cars?
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2025
Perez himself is known to prefer that players are not pampered or allowed too much leeway.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
Grant the existing ones some leeway while employing cattle loss mitigation.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 4 Nov. 2025
Will e-bikes be given the same 10-mph leeway as cars?
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2025
Perez himself is known to prefer that players are not pampered or allowed too much leeway.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 31 Oct. 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 12 Nov. 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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