liberty
noun
lib·er·ty
ˈli-bər-tē 
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
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
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
President Donald Trump concluded his address to Congress Tuesday with a call for liberty, but his definition of the idea and that of U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park, and Schneider’s guest for the evening, Adam Mulvey, are not the same.
—
Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Treating [the decision to get vaccinated] as an individual liberty is essentially irresponsible, in a public-health sense.
—Alice Park, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
Limiting your opinion writers to the defense of personal liberty and free markets?
—arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Catch up quick: Bezos ordered that the Post opinion section focus on personal liberties and free markets and not publish dissents on those areas.
—Jaden Amos, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liberty
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Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Treating [the decision to get vaccinated] as an individual liberty is essentially irresponsible, in a public-health sense.
—Alice Park, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
Limiting your opinion writers to the defense of personal liberty and free markets?
—arkansasonline.com, 1 Mar. 2025
Catch up quick: Bezos ordered that the Post opinion section focus on personal liberties and free markets and not publish dissents on those areas.
—Jaden Amos, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liberty
Cite this Entry
“Liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberty. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liberty
noun
lib·er·ty
ˈlib-ərt-ē
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 Amendment—W. R. LaFave and J. H. Israel
W. R. LaFave and J. H. IsraelGeographical Definition
Liberty
geographical name
Lib·er·ty
ˈli-bər-tē
city in northwestern Missouri north-northeast of Kansas City population 29,149
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