civil liberty

noun

1. the freedom of a citizen to exercise customary rights, as of speech or assembly, without unwarranted or arbitrary interference by the government.

2. such a right as guaranteed by the laws of a country, as in the U.S. by the Bill of Rights.

civil liberty

noun

1. the right of an individual to certain freedoms of speech and action

Word History and Origins

Origin of civil liberty¹

First recorded in 1635–45

Related Words

• civil rights 
• freedom 
• freedom of religion 
• freedom of speech