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

• aloneness
• insulation
• isolation
• secludedness
• seclusion
• segregation
• separateness
• sequestration
• solitariness
• solitude

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy.

Celebrities have a right to privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Payment systems must ensure AI tools meet financial regulations, data privacy laws and consumer protection standards, which vary by region. —Paul Marcantonio, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

Cybersecurity experts have also flagged data vulnerabilities in the app and voiced concerns about the company’s privacy policy. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025

In recent years, the luxury real estate markets along the Côte d’Azur have seen sustained demand driven by international buyers seeking privacy, coastal views, architectural pedigree, and, increasingly, golden visas. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2025

That’s enough to hold up to 200,000 photos, 300 hours of HD video, or around a million documents—all without recurring fees or cloud privacy concerns. —Stackcommerce Team (sponsored), PC Magazine, 23 Apr. 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