privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

 especially British  ˈpri-

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion

b

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion

one's right to privacy

2

a

: secrecy

b

: a private matter : secret

3

archaic : a place of seclusion

Synonyms

• solitude
• isolation

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy.

Celebrities have a right to privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most Celestiq buyers remain anonymous for their privacy. —Jackie Charniga, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025

The facility will have an 8-foot-tall privacy fence and a sally port, which is a secure entryway like those used in jails. —Sophie Carson, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further details will be released. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025

The laws have weak privacy protections, and the United States doesn’t have comprehensive privacy legislation like the United Kingdom or the European Union. —Jasmine Mithani, Them., 3 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing privacy

• invade someone's privacy
• invasion of (someone's) privacy

Kids Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being out of the sight and hearing of other people : seclusion

the privacy of the home

b

: freedom from being intruded upon

one's right to privacy

2

: secrecy sense 2

talk in privacy

Legal Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion : state of being let alone and able to keep certain especially personal matters to oneself see also expectation of privacy, invasion of privacy, privacy interest at interest sense 3b, right of privacy, Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade