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
Six months after a high-profile arrest and indictment of a judge at the Milwaukee County Courthouse complex, the county's chief judge has yet to issue a formal policy about what leeway federal immigration agents have to operate in the county's halls of justice.
—
Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Amid all of the college football programs making these moves, Kiffin was asked about how job security and leeway have changed.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The previous regime was known for giving Sheridan a lot of leeway with budgets and control over production, with costs running high and shows often filmed at Sheridan’s ranches.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2025
Immigration agents have leeway to enter public portions of public buildings without a court order, but not private areas or homes.
—Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Amid all of the college football programs making these moves, Kiffin was asked about how job security and leeway have changed.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The previous regime was known for giving Sheridan a lot of leeway with budgets and control over production, with costs running high and shows often filmed at Sheridan’s ranches.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 26 Oct. 2025
Immigration agents have leeway to enter public portions of public buildings without a court order, but not private areas or homes.
—Mercury News, 24 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 29 Oct. 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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