1the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s behaviour or political views:compulsory retirement would interfere with individual liberty
the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved:people who attacked phone boxes would lose their liberty
the power or scope to act as one pleases:individuals should enjoy the liberty to pursue their own preferences
Philosophy a person’s freedom from control by fate or necessity.
2 [count noun] (usually liberties) a right or privilege, especially a statutory one:the Bill of Rights was intended to secure basic civil liberties
3 [count noun] informal a presumptuous remark or action:how did he know what she was thinking?—it was a liberty!
4 Nautical shore leave granted to a sailor.
at liberty
1not imprisoned:he was at liberty for three months before he was recaptured
2allowed or entitled to do something:he’s not at liberty to discuss his real work
take liberties
1behave in an unduly familiar or easy manner towards someone or something:you’ve taken too many liberties with me
2treat something freely, without strict faithfulness to the facts or to an original:the scriptwriter has taken few liberties with the original narrative
take the liberty
venture to do something without first asking permission:I took the liberty of checking out a few convalescent homes for him
