civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary governmental interference (as with the right of free speech) specifically by denial of governmental power and in the U.S. especially as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights

—usually used in plural

civil libertarian noun or adjective

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Without institutions that are trusted, society gets scary and truth dissolves — making the revoking of civil liberties seem required if not necessary to preserve order. —Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2024

Democrats see him as a threat to civil liberties and immigration — a danger to the Constitution. —Jeffrey Fleishman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's pursuits (as in expressing thoughts, practicing a religion, or pursuing a living) by individuals or especially by the government and especially as constitutionally guaranteed

—usually used in pl. see also civil right