privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

 especially British  ˈpri-

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being apart from company or observation : seclusion

b

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion

one's right to privacy

2

a

: secrecy

b

: a private matter : secret

3

archaic : a place of seclusion

Synonyms

• aloneness
• insulation
• isolation
• secludedness
• seclusion
• segregation
• separateness
• sequestration
• solitariness
• solitude

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy.

Celebrities have a right to privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

This matters because Android 15 brings a host of critical security and privacy updates, and Samsung’s One UI 7 does even more to narrow the security gap to iPhone. —Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Gabbard accuses security agencies of eroding privacy and civil liberties. —Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025

For those still feeling hesitant, beginning a hobby in the privacy of your home can help ease discomfort. —Julianna Bragg, CNN, 23 Feb. 2025

On Monday, a lawsuit filed in a Washington, D.C. federal court said that the Department of Treasury had violated privacy laws by giving Musk and DOGE access to government payment systems. —James Powel, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing privacy

• invade someone's privacy
• invasion of (someone's) privacy

Kids Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy ˈprī-və-sē 

plural privacies

1

a

: the quality or state of being out of the sight and hearing of other people : seclusion

the privacy of the home

b

: freedom from being intruded upon

one's right to privacy

2

: secrecy sense 2

talk in privacy

Legal Definition

privacy

noun

pri·​va·​cy

: freedom from unauthorized intrusion : state of being let alone and able to keep certain especially personal matters to oneself see also expectation of privacy, invasion of privacy, privacy interest at interest sense 3b, right of privacy, Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade