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
Trump’s grandiose peace plan still ended up phased and conditional – granting the Israeli leader political leeway with his hardline coalition.
—
Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The law affords little leeway for the federal government to skirt its obligation, Donald Kettl, professor emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Leaving that leeway is always a key part of Black’s process.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
But with little leeway given on either side, lawmakers are widely expecting funding to lapse.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
The law affords little leeway for the federal government to skirt its obligation, Donald Kettl, professor emeritus at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, told ABC News.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025
Leaving that leeway is always a key part of Black’s process.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2025
But with little leeway given on either side, lawmakers are widely expecting funding to lapse.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 29 Sep. 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 20 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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