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
That provides next to no leeway for conference mishaps for each team, but more importantly, somewhat dilutes the strength of the Big East from the NET’s perspective.
—
Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
What’s happening: A group of Delaware state senators proposed a bill that would reshape how much leeway managers of companies with controlling shareholders have to run their businesses.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
During the first Trump administration, when the policy was still in place but agents were sometimes given leeway to ignore it, families facing deportation began sheltering within churches.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
OpenAI has announced plans to spin out its for-profit entity to give it more financial leeway.
—David Goldman, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025
What’s happening: A group of Delaware state senators proposed a bill that would reshape how much leeway managers of companies with controlling shareholders have to run their businesses.
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
During the first Trump administration, when the policy was still in place but agents were sometimes given leeway to ignore it, families facing deportation began sheltering within churches.
—Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025
OpenAI has announced plans to spin out its for-profit entity to give it more financial leeway.
—David Goldman, CNN, 13 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 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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