civil liberty

noun

plural civil liberties

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's speech or actions by other individuals or by the government especially as constitutionally guaranteed (as by the U.S. Bill of Rights)

—usually plural

Examples of civil liberties include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the right to due process of law.—Ramon Martin

compare civil rights

civil libertarian noun

plural civil libertarians

civil libertarian adjective

… continued divisions within the GOP on civil libertarian issues. —Ian Duncan and Lisa Mascaro

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

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.

The technology has its proponents who laud its investigative power, while opponents call it a mass surveillance system that violates privacy and civil liberties. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 26 July 2026 The Austrian government has said the best use for the building would be the presence of the police as guardians of civil liberties. — ABC News, 22 July 2026 The artist and activist has used performance art to challenge the government and advocate for civil liberties using the Cuban flag, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience. — News Desk, Artforum, 21 July 2026 Lam’s account shocked many people in the former British colony, which Beijing promised would maintain its Western-style civil liberties for 50 years after its return to China in 1997. — Kanis Leung, Fortune, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for civil liberty

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of civil liberty was in 1640

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

civil libertarian

civil liberty

civil list

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Civil liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20liberty. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's pursuits (as in expressing thoughts, practicing a religion, or pursuing a living) by individuals or especially by the government and especially as constitutionally guaranteed

—usually used in pl. see also civil right

civil liberty

noun

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Legal Definition

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