liberty

noun

lib·​er·​ty ˈli-bər-tē How to pronounce liberty (audio)
plural liberties
1
: the quality or state of being free:
a
: the power to do as one pleases
b
: freedom from physical restraint
c
: freedom from arbitrary or despotic (see despot sense 1) control
d
: the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges
e
: the power of choice
2
a
: a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : privilege
b
: permission especially to go freely within specified limits
was given the liberty of the house
3
: an action going beyond normal limits: such as
a
: a breach of etiquette or propriety : familiarity
took undue liberties with a stranger
b
: risk, chance
took foolish liberties with his health
c
: a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practice
took liberties in the way he played the game
d
: a distortion of fact
The movie takes many liberties with the actual events.
4
: a short authorized absence from naval duty usually for less than 48 hours
Phrases
at liberty
1
: free
2
: at leisure : unoccupied
Choose the Right Synonym for liberty

freedom, liberty, license mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion.

freedom has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated.

freedom of the press

liberty suggests release from former restraint or compulsion.

the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty

license implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom.

freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license

Examples of liberty in a Sentence

a nation that values liberty and democracy soldiers willing to die in defense of liberty They gave him the liberty to handle the problem himself. hard-won liberties such as freedom of the press
Recent Examples on the Web Every night of the week, ladies come into the city to dance the night away with the visiting sailors, but the sailors have to leave before midnight to get back to their ships, as their ‘Cinderella liberty’ comes to an end. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 Even at that tender age, Sargent knew segregating Blacks — denying them housing, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness — was wrong. Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 The notion of centrally orchestrated propaganda seemed to contradict the essence of what the United States was seeking to promote: namely, liberal institutions, creative liberties, cultural heterogeneity, and unfettered freedom of thought. Suzanne Nossel, Foreign Affairs, 29 Feb. 2024 By maintaining a balance between individual liberty, enterprise independence and collective security, cooperatives distribute wealth and power in a much more equitable fashion than typical corporate structures. Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Life, liberty, and the pursuit of the horizon go even better with music. Henry Everingham, SPIN, 27 Feb. 2024 Thank you President Biden for airdropping food to signal America’s resolve as a nation founded on the principles of liberty for all. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The collapse of the fiat money system and the accompanying welfare-warfare state also provide an opportunity for those of us who understand the truth to build a society based around the principles of liberty. Ron Paul, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024 Indeed, National Review is a rare creature in our media landscape, an independent-minded voice of ordered liberty that isn’t motivated by clicks or ratings. Rich Lowry, National Review, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'liberty.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French liberté, from Latin libertat-, libertas, from liber free — more at liberal

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of liberty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near liberty

Cite this Entry

“Liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberty. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

liberty

noun
lib·​er·​ty ˈlib-ərt-ē How to pronounce liberty (audio)
plural liberties
1
: the condition of those who are free and independent : freedom
2
: power to do what one pleases
give the child some liberty
3
: an action that goes beyond normal limits (as of proper behavior or good sense)
took liberties with the truth
4
: a short authorized absence from naval duty

Legal Definition

liberty

noun
lib·​er·​ty
plural liberties
1
a
: freedom from external (as governmental) restraint, compulsion, or interference in engaging in the pursuits or conduct of one's choice to the extent that they are lawful and not harmful to others
b
: enjoyment of the rights enjoyed by others in a society free of arbitrary or unreasonable limitation or interference
2
: freedom from physical restraint
3
: freedom from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership or services
4
: right
the right to a fair trial is a fundamental liberty secured by the Fourteenth AmendmentW. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel

Geographical Definition

Liberty

geographical name

Lib·​er·​ty ˈli-bər-tē How to pronounce Liberty (audio)
city in northwestern Missouri north-northeast of Kansas City population 29,149

More from Merriam-Webster on liberty

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