liberty
noun
lib·er·ty
ˈli-bər-tē 
plural liberties
1
: the quality or state of being free:
a
: the power to do as one pleases
b
: freedom from physical restraint
c
: freedom from arbitrary or despotic (see despot sense 1) control
d
: the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges
e
: the power of choice
2
a
: a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : privilege
b
: permission especially to go freely within specified limits
was given the liberty of the house
3
: an action going beyond normal limits: such as
a
: a breach of etiquette or propriety : familiarity
took undue liberties with a stranger
c
: a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practice
took liberties in the way he played the game
d
: 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
Synonyms
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 on the Web
Bottom line: No matter the circumstances, parents are always at liberty to choose the high road and set a positive example for their children based on what’s in their best interest.
—
Hannah Van Sickle, Parents, 22 Sep. 2023
According to the the press release, the day after learning about the missing kayaker in August, detectives discovered Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child by an adult in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
The following day, detectives learned Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child in Brunswick County, North Carolina, according to the news release.
—Marlon Sorto, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Delivery driver bitten by venomous rattlesnake, hospitalized in very serious condition
After he was reported missing, detectives learned that Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child by an adult in North Carolina.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2023
The French bring their devotion to liberty into the water with them.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2023
There’s no reason to question the liberty of this arrangement.
—WSJ, 13 Sep. 2023
Somebody needs to make good for taking away this woman’s liberty for a day.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2023
By providing trustworthy information and more choices, the USDA could help lower emissions without impinging on anyone’s liberty to sell or consume meat.
—Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, 5 Sep. 2023
See More
Hannah Van Sickle, Parents, 22 Sep. 2023
According to the the press release, the day after learning about the missing kayaker in August, detectives discovered Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child by an adult in Brunswick County, North Carolina.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
The following day, detectives learned Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child in Brunswick County, North Carolina, according to the news release.
—Marlon Sorto, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Delivery driver bitten by venomous rattlesnake, hospitalized in very serious condition
After he was reported missing, detectives learned that Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child by an adult in North Carolina.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2023
The French bring their devotion to liberty into the water with them.
—Catherine Porter, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2023
There’s no reason to question the liberty of this arrangement.
—WSJ, 13 Sep. 2023
Somebody needs to make good for taking away this woman’s liberty for a day.
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 6 Sep. 2023
By providing trustworthy information and more choices, the USDA could help lower emissions without impinging on anyone’s liberty to sell or consume meat.
—Jan Dutkiewicz, The New Republic, 5 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liberty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing liberty
Dictionary Entries Near liberty
Cite this Entry
“Liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberty. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
liberty
noun
lib·er·ty
ˈlib-ərt-ē
plural liberties
1
: the condition of those who are free and independent : freedom
2
: power to do what one pleases
give the child some liberty
3
: an action that goes beyond normal limits (as of proper behavior or good sense)
took liberties with the truth
4
: a short authorized absence from naval duty
Legal Definition
liberty
noun
lib·er·ty
plural liberties
1
a
: 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
W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
Geographical Definition
Liberty
geographical name
Lib·er·ty
ˈli-bər-tē
city in northwestern Missouri north-northeast of Kansas City population 29,149
More from Merriam-Webster on liberty
Nglish: Translation of liberty for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of liberty for Arabic Speakers
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