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

• solitude
• isolation

Examples of privacy in a Sentence

She went upstairs for some privacy.

Celebrities have a right to privacy.

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, Highmark would not discuss L’s case in any detail, citing patient privacy. —Duaa Eldeib, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025

The company could work with the government to determine if a waiver could be granted without violating standards such as patient privacy, safety and consumer protection. —Emily Wilkins, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025

Lawrence Kenyon, who lives in Thompson's Station, raised several claims, including defamation, invasion of privacy by false light and intentional infliction of emotional distress. —Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 10 Sep. 2025

Facebook has started sending out privacy settlement payouts. —Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 10 Sep. 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