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 of privacy

• 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

There are plenty of free VPN offerings on the market, but most come with strict usage limitations, and some compromise on data privacy. —Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 20 Mar. 2026

Large, congregate shelters of its sort offer little privacy or quiet; many have reputations for violence, drug use, and theft. —Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026

The county is not releasing age, gender or state-of-origin information on the person who visited the Sharp Memorial ER, citing privacy concerns. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2026

In a statement released late Thursday, the Gracey family asked for prayers and privacy. —ABC News, 19 Mar. 2026

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