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 The Justice Department says Apple limits choices with apps, text messaging, the ability to tap phones to buy lunch and options for seamlessly using a Garmin or Samsung smartwatch with an iPhone. Apple has previously said limitations like those protect your security and privacy. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 But the technique has also received widespread criticism, raising concerns about people's privacy. USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 Reviews of employers posted to Glassdoor remain anonymous, and people can post in its new discussion channels with only their work titles or employer visible, but the company’s policy of collecting and verifying real names has triggered concern among some users and privacy experts. Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 That unique combination of intimacy, privacy, and freedom was what had made the experience feel like such a gift. Kristen Roupenian, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2024 This year is shaping up to be an active one for new and developing technologies that are expected to impact how engineers work in the areas of data privacy, IoT security, Wi-Fi 6, and more. IEEE Spectrum, 19 Mar. 2024 While security impacts privacy, this program doesn’t offer many requirements around how a manufacturer uses the data a device collects. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 19 Mar. 2024 These e-commerce sites are operated under different terms and privacy policies than abcnews.go.com. Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 19 Mar. 2024 At the same time, a majority of employees — or 68 percent of employees who participated in the JLL survey — stated a preference for larger workstations and additional privacy. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2024

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near privacy

Cite this Entry

“Privacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privacy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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!