leeway
extra time, space, materials, or the like, within which to operate; margin: With ten minutes' leeway we can catch the train.
a degree of freedom of action or thought: His instructions gave us plenty of leeway.
Also called sag. Nautical. the amount or angle of the drift of a ship to leeward from its heading.
Aeronautics. the amount a plane is blown off its normal course by cross winds.
Origin of leeway
1Other words for leeway
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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use leeway in a sentence
As new laws are designed to give school districts extra leeway to deny charter schools, learning pods, a component of distance learning, have become a viable alternative to traditional public schools and charter schools.
School Districts Should Embrace Learning Pods Even After the Pandemic | Mark Powell | December 14, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoLarger productions, like network TV shows, have less leeway since they require more time to shoot.
As explained above, Kavanaugh appears to be largely indifferent to voting rights, and is willing to give state legislatures a great deal of leeway to disenfranchise voters.
If the Supreme Court decides the election, it will likely all come down to Brett Kavanaugh | Ian Millhiser | October 30, 2020 | VoxA police tactic meant to keep officers safer — raiding homes late at night, giving occupants little or no warning — can conflict with “castle doctrine” laws meant to keep homeowners safe by giving them leeway to use deadly force against intruders.
A woman killed. An officer shot. And no one legally responsible. | David Fahrenthold | September 24, 2020 | Washington PostSecretaries of state, who oversee statewide voting and work with county election officials, have broad leeway to act in ways that can limit or expand the franchise.
No Democrats Allowed: A Conservative Lawyer Holds Secret Voter Fraud Meetings With State Election Officials | by Mike Spies, Jake Pearson and Jessica Huseman | September 15, 2020 | ProPublica
Police are often given great leeway in determining whether or not to use lethal force, and are rarely indicted for doing so.
Ferguson on Knife Edge of More Violence After Grand Jury Evidence Leak Showing Struggle | Justin Glawe | October 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTCharter schools have leeway over their calendar, curriculum, and who they hire and fire.
At This Creepy Libertarian Charter School, Kids Must Swear ‘to Be Obedient to Those in Authority’ | ProPublica | October 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTFederal judges are afforded a great deal of leeway by the legal system due to the difficulty of removing them from office.
Now that the world is set, it gives us some leeway to have fun with the story and characters.
Guillermo del Toro on Hardcore Gothic ‘Crimson Peak’ and ‘Pacific Rim 2’ | Andrew Romano | July 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe results could be a gravely weakened Rouhani, stripped of the leeway in talks that he currently enjoys.
Why Now is Not the Time for New Sanctions on Iran | Dylan Williams | November 5, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTSuch a contrivance helps to improve the leeway of so shallow a boat, although not proportionately to the area immersed.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.Mollett's theory is that it is better to cut away every inch of deadwood which is not absolutely necessary for preventing leeway.
Yachting Vol. 2 | Various."She's makin' leeway the best I can do," came back from Skipper Zeb.
Left on the Labrador | Dillon WallaceI suppose,” he said presently, “you have made ample allowance for leeway, and for our drift while hove-to?
A Middy of the King | Harry CollingwoodWe were marching a little to the east of the wind, and the sledge was continually blown sideways, making considerable leeway.
The Home of the Blizzard | Douglas Mawson
British Dictionary definitions for leeway
/ (ˈliːˌweɪ) /
room for free movement within limits, as in action or expenditure
sideways drift of a boat or aircraft
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
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