privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē How to pronounce privacy (audio)
 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
b
: a private matter : secret
3
archaic : a place of seclusion

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy. Celebrities have a right to privacy.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Availability and privacy Ask Photos rolls out to more eligible users in the U.S., beyond early access testers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025 It is surrounded by trees, too, so there is no need to worry about privacy. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 3 July 2025 So the couple, who wish to remain anonymous to protect their privacy, went to the Columbia University Fertility Center to try a novel approach. Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 3 July 2025 Planned Parenthood of Montana, in challenging the law, argued that minors have a constitutional right to privacy that cannot be infringed. ABC News, 3 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for privacy

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of privacy was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Privacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privacy. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

privacy

noun
pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē How to pronounce privacy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on privacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!