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

b

: risk, chance

took foolish liberties with his health

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

Phrases

at liberty

1

: free

2

: at leisure : unoccupied

Synonyms

• alternative
• choice
• discretion
• druthers [dialect]
• election
• option
• pick
• preference
• selection
• volition
• way

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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

This structure of government originates from Enlightenment political theory, resting on the idea that liberty could only be preserved if political power were divided and balanced. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025

That high level hypocrisy – America, the shining beacon of liberty, propping up a dictator – made Peck as acutely sensitive to the abuse of political language as Orwell. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 16 May 2025

America was born from a hunger for religious liberty. —Kevin Sabet, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025

America’s next chapter will need more men and women like these to power the success, innovation and prosperity that made our country a beacon of liberty and opportunity for many. —Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French liberté, from Latin libertat-, libertas, from liber free — more at liberal entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing liberty

• civil liberty
• liberty cap
• liberty pole
• take the liberty of

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

Geographical Definition

Liberty

geographical name

Lib·​er·​ty ˈli-bər-tē 

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