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
Now, viewers for dramas, comedies and reality shows are harder to come by, because people now have the leeway to watch their favorites at any moment of their own choosing.
—
Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
But the office has leeway on when to certify it as sufficient to be placed on the ballot.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
The list of attendees until Tuesday had not included Huang, whose company makes the chips at the heart of the AI boom and has been pushing for greater leeway in a market he’s identified as a $50 billion opportunity.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Social events tend to allow a tiny bit of leeway, even though the host then has to listen to tedious descriptions of the traffic.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Michael Schneider, Variety, 15 May 2026
But the office has leeway on when to certify it as sufficient to be placed on the ballot.
—Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026
The list of attendees until Tuesday had not included Huang, whose company makes the chips at the heart of the AI boom and has been pushing for greater leeway in a market he’s identified as a $50 billion opportunity.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 May 2026
Social events tend to allow a tiny bit of leeway, even though the host then has to listen to tedious descriptions of the traffic.
—Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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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