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
Wishing to give presidents leeway to act quickly in an emergency, but also wishing to maintain some control, Congress enacted the WPR in 1973.
—
David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
The deals provide the Pentagon with wide leeway to potentially use powerful advanced AI technologies for secret combat operations, including to assist with targeting.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
The proposal also includes several rules that, if approved, would further reduce a team’s ability to tank its way into better draft odds while also giving the league much greater leeway to punish would-be offenders.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
In addition, the administration has supported allowing insurers more leeway to sell plans that are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
—Renuka Rayasam, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 May 2026
The deals provide the Pentagon with wide leeway to potentially use powerful advanced AI technologies for secret combat operations, including to assist with targeting.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
The proposal also includes several rules that, if approved, would further reduce a team’s ability to tank its way into better draft odds while also giving the league much greater leeway to punish would-be offenders.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
In addition, the administration has supported allowing insurers more leeway to sell plans that are not compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
—Renuka Rayasam, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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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