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

As one of Africa’s oldest liberation movements in power, the ANC modeled aspects of its post-1994 system on the Indian National Congress — another omnipresent force that lost its hold. —Sam Mkokeli, semafor.com, 1 Apr. 2026

During the 2002 World Cup, fans across Africa celebrated Senegal’s upset victory over defending champion France, its former colonizer, as a symbol of liberation. —Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2026

Steeped in tradition and symbolism, Passover commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026

Passover is a major Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. —Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 31 Mar. 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