Liberty

¹ American  

[lib-er-tee] / ˈlɪb ər ti /

noun

1. a town in W Missouri.

---

liberty ² 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.

---

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 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)

---

liberty More Idioms  

1. see at liberty; take the liberty of.

---

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

"All are spread around the world and they have their liberty to this day" said Laidlaw.

From BBC

In a strongly-worded ruling, Judge John Tunheim said refugees "are not committing crimes on our streets, nor did they illegally cross the border," adding that the US had been "a haven of individual liberties".

From BBC

Thanks to Judge Charles Ouslander for his asylum ruling, which shows the U.S. can still be a beacon for liberty and a refuge for dissidents from the world’s cruel authoritarians.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Police officers should not face losing their liberty or livelihoods for doing the job that society expects of them and it has been pleasing to see government acknowledgment of this."

From BBC

Critics charge this is treating people’s liberties as mere commodities.

From Salon