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
Both, however, have leeway built in to offer multiple rewards of varying amounts based on a tip's outcome.
—
CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
While still subject to fiduciary duties and SEC oversight, RIAs generally have more leeway in discussing and potentially recommending crypto assets to their clients.
—Steve Larsen, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Finding conspirators within the government and media Patel has expressed interest in giving the government leeway to crack down on officials who anonymously disclose sensitive information and the reporters who write about it.
—Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Dec. 2024
Federal courts have given leeway to publication of lawmakers’ contact information and actors’ birthdates, leaving doubts over whether cops and judges and their homes and phones would fare any better.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leeway 
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CBS News, 12 Dec. 2024
While still subject to fiduciary duties and SEC oversight, RIAs generally have more leeway in discussing and potentially recommending crypto assets to their clients.
—Steve Larsen, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Finding conspirators within the government and media Patel has expressed interest in giving the government leeway to crack down on officials who anonymously disclose sensitive information and the reporters who write about it.
—Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Dec. 2024
Federal courts have given leeway to publication of lawmakers’ contact information and actors’ birthdates, leaving doubts over whether cops and judges and their homes and phones would fare any better.
—Paresh Dave, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leeway
Dictionary Entries Near leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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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