liberation

noun

lib·​er·​a·​tion ˌli-bə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of liberating : the state of being liberated

2

: a movement seeking equal rights and status for a group

women's liberation

liberationist

ˌli-bə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms of liberation

• emancipation

Examples of liberation in a Sentence

The liberation of the city took weeks.

the liberation of the slaves was one of the key results of the Civil War

Recent Examples on the Web

Nelson Mandela served a single term and stepped down in 1999, on a continent where liberation leaders routinely became presidents for life. — Michael Sonnenfeldt, Fortune, 19 July 2026

Yet the end goal of this liberation movement appears to be a more intense brand of intensive parenting. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

The grotesque offers a reprieve—if not liberation, then at least a means of expression. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026

Makdisi also found the narrow understanding of female empowerment popularized by second-wave feminism frustrating, particularly the assumption that all women need the same genre of liberation. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English liberacion "deliverance," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, "action of freeing," borrowed from Latin līberātiōn-, līberātiō "setting free, release, acquittal," from līberāre "to give free status to (a slave), release" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at liberate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing liberation

• liberation theology

Rhymes for liberation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

liberation

noun

lib·​er·​a·​tion ˌlib-ə-ˈrā-shən 

1

: the act of liberating : the state of being liberated

2

: a movement seeking equal rights for a group