liberty

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noun lib·er·ty \ˈli-bər-tē\

Definition of liberty

plural

liberties

1 : the quality or state of being free:a : the power to do as one pleasesb : freedom from physical restraintc : freedom from arbitrary or despotic (see despot 2) controld : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privilegese : the power of choice
2a : a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : privilegeb : permission especially to go freely within specified limits was given the liberty of the house
3 : an action going beyond normal limits: such asa : a breach of etiquette or propriety : familiarity took undue liberties with a strangerb : risk, chance took foolish liberties with his healthc : a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practice took liberties in the way he played the gamed : a distortion of fact The movie takes many liberties with the actual events.
4 : a short authorized absence from naval duty usually for less than 48 hours

at liberty

1 : free
2 : at leisure : unoccupied

See liberty defined for English-language learners

See liberty defined for kids

Examples of liberty in a Sentence

a nation that values liberty and democracy
soldiers willing to die in defense of liberty
They gave him the liberty to handle the problem himself.
hard-won liberties such as freedom of the press

Recent Examples of liberty from the Web

Johnny Lee Metts was arrested early Monday and charged with indecent liberties with a child, Lincolnton Police said.

— joe marusak, charlotteobserver, "63-year-old Lincolnton man accused of child sex assault", 30 May 2017
Nellie Drew, a University of Buffalo adjunct law professor who follows sports issues, suspects a draconian ruling on player liberty could be the tipping point.

— paresh dave, latimes.com, "In e-sports, it's the bosses who are rallying for a union", 26 May 2017
The terrorist chose to strike at the heart of our capital city, where people of all nationalities, religions and cultures come together to celebrate the values of liberty, democracy and freedom of speech.

— lale arikoglu, CNT, "London Attack Near Parliament Leaves Several Dead", 22 Mar. 2017
Other restaurants have taken even greater liberties with the recipe.

— rachelle bergstein, New York Times, "The Waldorf Is Closing, but Its Salad Lives On", 21 Feb. 2017
Our goal should be the achievement of an indivisible America with liberty and justice for all.

— danielle allen, Washington Post, "Cicero used to be boring. With Trump around, he’s breathtaking.", 4 Jan. 2017
In the 2005 case Sahin v. Turkey, the court addressed a religious liberty claim by a woman prohibited by the Turkish government from sitting for a university examination while wearing a head scarf.

— asma t. uddin, New York Times, "When a Swimsuit Is a Security Threat", 24 Aug. 2016
Not seeking glory for themselves, but peace and liberty for us all, these veterans represent the spirit that has preserved us as a great nation.

— kevin whaley, ajc, "Tributes to veterans", 1 Sep. 2015
Life and liberty were assured in Mike Nichols's world.

— stephen marche, Esquire, "The Scene That Made Mike Nichols's Career", 20 Nov. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'liberty'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of liberty

Middle English, from Anglo-French liberté, from Latin libertat-, libertas, from liber free — more at liberal

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of liberty

freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion. freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated. freedom of the press liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion. the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom. freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Liberty

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geographical name Lib·er·ty \ˈli-bər-tē\

Definition of Liberty

city in northwestern Missouri north-northeast of Kansas City population 29,149

LIBERTY Defined for English Language Learners

liberty

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noun

Definition of liberty for English Language Learners

: the state or condition of people who are able to act and speak freely
: the power to do or choose what you want to
: a political right

LIBERTY Defined for Kids

liberty

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noun lib·er·ty \ˈli-bər-tē\

Definition of liberty for Students

plural

liberties

1 : the state of being free : freedom
2 : freedom to do as desired Give the child some liberty.
3 : the state of not being busy : leisure
4 : a political right Don't take your liberties for granted.
5 : an action that is too free The movie takes liberties with the truth.

at liberty

: able to act or speak freely I'm not at liberty to discuss the project.

Law Dictionary

liberty

noun lib·er·ty

Legal Definition of liberty

plural

liberties

1a : freedom from external (as governmental) restraint, compulsion, or interference in engaging in the pursuits or conduct of one's choice to the extent that they are lawful and not harmful to others b : enjoyment of the rights enjoyed by others in a society free of arbitrary or unreasonable limitation or interference
2 : freedom from physical restraint
3 : freedom from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership or services
4 : right the right to a fair trial is a fundamental liberty secured by the Fourteenth Amendment — W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel