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
Synonyms
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
This definition also said that while people can justifiably be forced to do certain things, most obviously to refrain from infringing the liberty of others, they cannot be coerced to serve the good of other members of society.
—
Lauren Goode, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
The city around him still bore the wounds of war, and the jamming together of wreckage and reconstruction had its enduring effect, as Auerbach recalled:
There was a curious feeling of liberty about because everybody who was living there had escaped death in some way.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
While the Supreme Court has already given him more liberty to act outside the bounds of constitutional norms—granting all presidents immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts—many of his other measures will face legal challenges.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Earlier in the episode, Stephen ponders the liberties Nancy took when writing The Perfect Stranger.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for liberty 
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Lauren Goode, WIRED, 21 Nov. 2024
The city around him still bore the wounds of war, and the jamming together of wreckage and reconstruction had its enduring effect, as Auerbach recalled:
There was a curious feeling of liberty about because everybody who was living there had escaped death in some way.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2024
While the Supreme Court has already given him more liberty to act outside the bounds of constitutional norms—granting all presidents immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts—many of his other measures will face legal challenges.
—Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Earlier in the episode, Stephen ponders the liberties Nancy took when writing The Perfect Stranger.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for liberty
Dictionary Entries Near liberty
Cite this Entry
“Liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liberty. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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