freedom

[ free-duhm ]

/ ˈfri dəm /

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See synonyms for: freedom / freedoms on Thesaurus.com

noun

the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint: He won his freedom after a retrial.

exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

the power to determine action without restraint.

political or national independence.

personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery: The formerly enslaved seamstress bought her freedom and later became Mary Todd Lincoln’s dressmaker and stylist.

exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually followed by from): freedom from fear.

the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.

ease or facility of movement or action: to enjoy the freedom of living in the country.

frankness of manner or speech.

general exemption or immunity: freedom from taxation.

the absence of ceremony or reserve.

a liberty taken.

a particular immunity or privilege enjoyed, as by a city or corporation: freedom to levy taxes.

civil liberty, as opposed to subjection to an arbitrary or despotic government.

the right to enjoy all the privileges or special rights of citizenship, membership, etc., in a community or the like.

the right to frequent, enjoy, or use at will: to have the freedom of a friend's library.

Philosophy. the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination.Compare necessity (def. 7).

OTHER WORDS FOR freedom

9 openness, ingenuousness.

12 license.

16 run.

See synonyms for freedom on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of freedom

First recorded before 900; Middle English fredom, Old English frēodōm; see free, -dom

synonym study for freedom

1. Freedom, independence, liberty refer to an absence of undue restrictions and an opportunity to exercise one's rights and powers. Freedom emphasizes the opportunity given for the exercise of one's rights, powers, desires, or the like: freedom of speech or conscience; freedom of movement. Independence implies not only lack of restrictions but also the ability to stand alone, unsustained by anything else: Independence of thought promotes invention and discovery. Liberty, though most often interchanged with freedom, is also used to imply undue exercise of freedom: He took liberties with the text.

OTHER WORDS FROM freedom

non·free·dom, nouno·ver·free·dom, nounun·free·dom, noun

Words nearby freedom

freecycle, free delivery, free diving, freedman, Freedmen's Bureau, freedom, freedom fighter, Freedom Food, Freedomites, freedom march, freedom of assembly

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use freedom in a sentence

You want to be right up to that edge where it’s dynamic and there’s freedom.
What if Your Company Had No Rules? (Bonus Episode)|Maria Konnikova|September 12, 2020|Freakonomics
He has no idea what the brave men and women who have fought and even died in war for our country, and those in the military today protecting our freedoms, stand for.
My Dad served in WWII — he was a hero, not a loser|Peter Rosenstein|September 10, 2020|Washington Blade
Instead, Brazil’s National Congress is considering legislation that would violate the privacy and freedom of expression of the country’s 137 million internet users.
Brazil’s “fake news” bill won’t solve its misinformation problem|Amy Nordrum|September 10, 2020|MIT Technology Review
This limitless freedom that it feels like I can feel in her performance there.
After Playing So Many Roles, Who Is the Real Tatiana Maslany?|Eromo Egbejule|September 4, 2020|Ozy

He’ll remember his one moment of freedom, he claims, when he’s “old and bent.”
Toward a queer Disney canon|Emily VanDerWerff|September 4, 2020|Vox
In other words, the free thinker defending freedom of thought.
Houellebecq’s Incendiary Novel Imagines France With a Muslim President|Pierre Assouline|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was also an attack on our freedom of expression and way of life.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead|Luke O’Neil|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The more we appease, the more we indulge, the more emboldened the enemies of freedom become.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
No one wants to align with less freedom at a time like this.
Politicians Only Love Journalists When They're Dead|Luke O’Neil|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The choice between freedom and fear is not difficult when seen with perspective.
Why We Stand With Charlie Hebdo—And You Should Too|John Avlon|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For this use of the voice in the special service of will-power, or propelling force, it is necessary first to test its freedom.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
It was a life full of freedom, and I shall never cease to be grateful for it, but I must go home soon and look after my affairs.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Her success increased her confidence in herself and enhanced the boldness and freedom with which she handled her brush.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
If there is everywhere complete economic freedom, then there will ensue in consequence a régime of social justice.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The primal rigidity of the straight line yields later on to the freedom of an organ.
Children's Ways|James Sully

British Dictionary definitions for freedom

freedom

/ (ˈfriːdəm) /

noun

personal liberty, as from slavery, bondage, serfdom, etc

liberation or deliverance, as from confinement or bondage

the quality or state of being free, esp to enjoy political and civil liberties

(usually foll by from) the state of being without something unpleasant or bad; exemption or immunityfreedom from taxation

the right or privilege of unrestricted use or accessthe freedom of a city

autonomy, self-government, or independence

the power or liberty to order one's own actions

philosophy the quality, esp of the will or the individual, of not being totally constrained; able to choose between alternative actions in identical circumstances

ease or frankness of manner; candourshe talked with complete freedom

excessive familiarity of manner; boldness

ease and grace, as of movement; lack of effort

Word Origin for freedom

Old English frēodōm

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

freedom

OTHER WORDS FOR freedom

Origin of freedom

synonym study for freedom

OTHER WORDS FROM freedom

Words nearby freedom

Words related to freedom

How to use freedom in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for freedom

Word Origin for freedom