liberty

¹

[ lib-er-tee ]

noun

, plural lib·er·ties.

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.

Liberty

²

[ lib-er-tee ]

noun

1. a town in W Missouri.

liberty

/ 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. at liberty
   free, unoccupied, or unrestricted
7. take liberties
   to be overfamiliar or overpresumptuous (with)
8. take the liberty
   to venture or presume (to do something)

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberty¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberty¹

C14: from Old French liberté, from Latin lībertās, from līber free

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing liberty

see at liberty ; take the liberty of .

Synonym Study

See freedom.

Example Sentences

More broadly, they argue that Trump’s approach will strip homeless people of dignity and liberty for the crime of having nowhere to live, removing them from public view without increasing the affordable housing supply.

From Los Angeles Times

There James Madison argued that the separation of powers among the president, the Congress, and the Supreme Court would be essential in protecting the liberty of Americans.

From Salon

The dog, a micro-Chihuahua named Pilaf, knows this, and Pilaf’s owner, Demi Moore, knows this as well, though that doesn’t mean she doesn’t apologize and ask if you’re OK with Pilaf taking liberties.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a gap between America’s self-image as a country founded on the idea of individual liberty and the horrific reality of slavery.

From Salon

“Today I’m deciding to hold ‘Do No Wrong’ and leave those liberties up to all family members,” Payne’s collaborator Sam Pounds said last week in a since-deleted tweet.

From Los Angeles Times