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

Other bills that drew concern from business groups included Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 5, which dealt with consumer data privacy and artificial intelligence regulation. —P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026

While carrier support is still developing, with Boost Mobile in the US and several UK providers already on board, Apple confirms that users with an EU or UK SIM can enable this crucial privacy protection. —David Phelan, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026

The interior doors can be closed for dining in privacy. —David Caraccio may 16, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2026

However, privacy advocates worry that shoppers may have little idea when their plate is being scanned or who can later search that data. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 May 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