liberty

¹ American  

[lib-er-tee] / ˈlɪb ər ti /

noun

plural

liberties

1. freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.

2. freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.

3. freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.

4. freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint.

   The prisoner soon regained his liberty.

   Synonyms:

   liberation

5. permission granted to a sailor, especially in the navy, to go ashore.

6. freedom or right to frequent or use a place.

   The visitors were given the liberty of the city.

   Synonyms:

   immunity, privilege, license, permission, franchise

7. unwarranted or impertinent freedom in action or speech, or a form or instance of it.

   to take liberties.

8. a female figure personifying freedom from despotism.

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idioms

1. at liberty,

   1. free from captivity or restraint.

   2. unemployed; out of work.

   3. free to do or be as specified.

      You are at liberty to leave at any time during the meeting.

Liberty ² American  

[lib-er-tee] / ˈlɪb ər ti /

noun

1. a town in W Missouri.

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liberty British  

/ ˈlɪbətɪ /

noun

1. the power of choosing, thinking, and acting for oneself; freedom from control or restriction

2. the right or privilege of access to a particular place; freedom

3. (often plural) a social action regarded as being familiar, forward, or improper

4. (often plural) an action that is unauthorized or unwarranted in the circumstances

   he took liberties with the translation

5. 1. authorized leave granted to a sailor

   2. ( as modifier )

      liberty man

      liberty boat

6. free, unoccupied, or unrestricted

7. to be overfamiliar or overpresumptuous (with)

8. to venture or presume (to do something)

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liberty More Idioms  

1. see at liberty; take the liberty of.

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Related Words

See freedom.

Etymology

Origin of liberty

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English liberte, from Middle French, from Latin lībertāt-, stem of lībertās, equivalent to līber “free” + -tās -ty ²

Example Sentences

Leon Rengel is asking for at least $1.3 million in damages for "loss of liberty" and "emotional distress."

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Loren Dean, chair of the Libertarian Party of California, said it was Doherty’s work at Reason that brought him into the liberty movement.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

“They’ll run away. They value their liberty, just as anyone else does.”

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

After Mahmoud, it wasn’t a surprise that the court saw the school district’s policy as a burden on religious liberty.

From Slate • Mar. 12, 2026

This slowed them down, but we soon came to ‘with liberty and justice for all’.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck