civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary governmental interference (as with the right of free speech) specifically by denial of governmental power and in the U.S. especially as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights

—usually used in plural

civil libertarian noun or adjective

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

Recent Examples on the Web

Goodman's decadeslong legal career included human rights and civil liberties advocacy, taking on cases like stop-and-frisk policies, Guantanamo Bay detentions, the Flint water crisis, Palestinian rights, police brutality, prisoners' rights, Vietnam War victims and more. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 29 June 2024

But issues around the regulation of online speech aren’t going away, says David Greene, civil liberties director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation. —Stephen Humphries, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 2024

Several civil liberties groups say they are poised for a legal battle over Louisiana's new law requiring all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments one day after the law was signed by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry. —Jennifer Vilcarino, ABC News, 20 June 2024

David Greene, the EFF's civil liberties director provided a statement to Ars' on Australia's decision to drop the case. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 5 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's pursuits (as in expressing thoughts, practicing a religion, or pursuing a living) by individuals or especially by the government and especially as constitutionally guaranteed

—usually used in pl. see also civil right