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
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
Synonyms
- alternative
- choice
- discretion
- druthers [dialect]
- election
- option
- pick
- preference
- selection
- volition
- way
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 While much journalism on Covid-19 continues to tell the story of the pandemic the way Chris Cuomo did at the outset—as a struggle between safety and personal liberty—Thrasher offers a different approach. 
Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2022 Some 62% of Chileans who voted in a national referendum on Sunday rejected a new constitution that would have empowered the left to restrict property rights and individual liberty. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 Ocasio-Cortez quote-tweeted a clip of remarks Alito made at a conference on religious liberty in Rome. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 More important was his role in founding the United States, an act that did more for liberty and human flourishing than any other single political act in human history so far. The Editors, National Review, 26 Aug. 2022 Making freedom the core value, as many American conservatives once did, erases the line between liberty and license. William A. Galston, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Whereas many artists enjoy working face-to-face, there was a different kind of creative liberty to be gained through this method. Grant Sharples, SPIN, 17 Aug. 2022 Enlightenment philosophies spawned revolutions and gave rise to fundamental Western values like democracy and individual liberty. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Aug. 2022 Susan Osborne, who is also a Catholic grandmother, has been urging neighbors to vote against the measure, calling it an infringement on constitutional liberty. Sarah Herndon, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2022 See More
Melissa Gira Grant, The New Republic, 6 Sep. 2022 Some 62% of Chileans who voted in a national referendum on Sunday rejected a new constitution that would have empowered the left to restrict property rights and individual liberty. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 5 Sep. 2022 Ocasio-Cortez quote-tweeted a clip of remarks Alito made at a conference on religious liberty in Rome. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 29 July 2022 More important was his role in founding the United States, an act that did more for liberty and human flourishing than any other single political act in human history so far. The Editors, National Review, 26 Aug. 2022 Making freedom the core value, as many American conservatives once did, erases the line between liberty and license. William A. Galston, WSJ, 23 Aug. 2022 Whereas many artists enjoy working face-to-face, there was a different kind of creative liberty to be gained through this method. Grant Sharples, SPIN, 17 Aug. 2022 Enlightenment philosophies spawned revolutions and gave rise to fundamental Western values like democracy and individual liberty. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Aug. 2022 Susan Osborne, who is also a Catholic grandmother, has been urging neighbors to vote against the measure, calling it an infringement on constitutional liberty. Sarah Herndon, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing liberty
Kids Definition
liberty
noun
lib·er·ty ˈli-bər-tē
plural liberties
1
: the state of being free : freedom
2
: freedom to do as desired
Give the child some liberty.
3
: the state of not being busy : leisure
4
: a political right Don't take your liberties for granted.
5
: an action that is too free
The movie takes liberties with the truth.
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. Israel Geographical Definition
Liberty
geographical name
Lib·er·ty ˈli-bər-tē
city in northwestern Missouri north-northeast of Kansas City population 29,149
at liberty
phrase
as in free
not bound, confined, or detained by force Doctors aren't at liberty to discuss patient information with anyone but the patient. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- free
- loose
- at large
- unrestrained
- footloose
- unbound
- escaped
- unconfined
- unfettered
- undone
- clear
- disengaged
- unleashed
- unchained
- uncaged
- untied
- unbolted
- unanchored
- unfastened
- uncaught
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- confined
- bound
- restrained
- caught
- enclosed
- anchored
- inclosed
- imprisoned
- tied
- penned
- bolted
- unfree
- fastened
- caged
- chained
- kidnapped
- immured
- fettered
- kidnaped
- leashed
- shackled
- manacled