leeway

American  

[lee-wey] / ˈliˌweɪ /

noun

1. extra time, space, materials, or the like, within which to operate; margin.

   With ten minutes' leeway we can catch the train.

2. a degree of freedom of action or thought.

   His instructions gave us plenty of leeway.

   Synonyms:

   cushion, flexibility, latitude

3. Also called sag.  Nautical. the amount or angle of the drift of a ship to leeward from its heading.

4. Aeronautics. the amount a plane is blown off its normal course by cross winds.

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leeway British  

/ ˈliːˌweɪ /

noun

1. room for free movement within limits, as in action or expenditure

2. sideways drift of a boat or aircraft

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Etymology

Origin of leeway

First recorded in 1660–70; lee + way ¹

Example Sentences

Nonprofit legal organizations have more leeway to pursue penalties for other allegations employees experienced, even if the individual worker named in the lawsuit did not personally experience all of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The administration said the president had broad leeway to take action against firms, particularly regarding their interactions with the federal government.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

The 10% leeway is being built in to reflect that some patients may not be able to make a same-day appointment or may call too late in the day to be realistically given one.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

Given "the fear of falling behind" the United States and China in developing AI technologies, Prissard said that Europe may succumb to the "temptation to allow more leeway to innovate without obstacles".

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026

He smashed Theo, Evan, and Ian under his mental heel because it encouraged them to try to beat him, but he always gave Jetta and Art some leeway.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia