liberties

Noun

liberty (countable and uncountable, plural liberties)

1. The condition of being free.
   • The army is here, your liberty is assured.
2. The condition of being free from imprisonment, slavery or forced labour.
   • The prisoners gained their liberty from an underground tunnel.
3. The condition of being free to act, believe or express oneself as one chooses.
   • Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
4. Freedom from excessive government control.
   • The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty.2012 December 14, Simon Jenkins, “We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 2, page 23
5. A short period when a sailor is allowed ashore.
   • We're going on a three-day liberty as soon as we dock.
6. (often, plural) A breach of social convention.
   • You needn't take such liberties.

See all 25 meanings of liberty