1
: an allowable margin of freedom or variation : tolerance
The new rules allow managers greater leeway in making decisions.
2
a
: off-course lateral movement of a ship when underway
The sailboat's centerboard helps to reduce leeway.
b
: the angle between the heading and the track of an airplane
Examples of leeway in a Sentence
They give their students leeway to try new things.
you will be given some leeway in choosing how to carry out the project
Recent Examples on the Web
The bill, which was opposed by all but one Democrat in the House, boosts defense spending by $6 billion and reduces non-defense spending by about $13 billion while also giving the Trump administration more leeway on future spending decisions.
—
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Will the courts give extra leeway to someone who is seemingly being punished by the government for exercising free speech?
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
The Times reported that while agencies have some leeway in implementation, major shifts like this usually must go through formal rulemaking and adhere to the intent of Congress.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
But when inflation is high, or at least worries about it are, the Fed has less leeway to ease rates.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2025
Will the courts give extra leeway to someone who is seemingly being punished by the government for exercising free speech?
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
The Times reported that while agencies have some leeway in implementation, major shifts like this usually must go through formal rulemaking and adhere to the intent of Congress.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
But when inflation is high, or at least worries about it are, the Fed has less leeway to ease rates.
—Compiled Bydemocrat-Gazette Stafffrom Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leeway
noun
lee·way
ˈlē-ˌwā 
1
: sideways movement of a ship when under way
2
: an extra amount (as of room or time) that allows some freedom or variation
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