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 gives the tribe leeway to set priorities and policies — for instance, testing for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever without prior authorization.
—
Pien Huang, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Strength of schedule: Expect more leeway to be given to teams that really tested themselves with their schedules.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Jenny can’t figure out how to use her scooter properly, giving Michele some leeway to secure first place and a bit of redemption.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
This season’s expansion of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12 and Ohio State’s place in the Big Ten, one of the sport’s two most powerful conferences, have afforded more leeway for losses and uncoupled the stakes of beating Michigan from the larger pursuit of a national title.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leeway 
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Pien Huang, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
Strength of schedule: Expect more leeway to be given to teams that really tested themselves with their schedules.
—Mark Schindler, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Jenny can’t figure out how to use her scooter properly, giving Michele some leeway to secure first place and a bit of redemption.
—Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
This season’s expansion of the College Football Playoff from four teams to 12 and Ohio State’s place in the Big Ten, one of the sport’s two most powerful conferences, have afforded more leeway for losses and uncoupled the stakes of beating Michigan from the larger pursuit of a national title.
—Andrew Greif, NBC News, 31 Dec. 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 Jan. 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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