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
As a private company, Nordstrom may have more leeway and less scrutiny of its efforts to reinvigorate sales.
D’Innocenzio and Durbin write for the Associated Press.
—
Anne D’innocenzio and Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Yet many of those serving that sentence went insane in solitary, leading to a new law in 1861 that gave greater leeway in sentencing murderers.
—Dan Austin, Detroit Free Press, 23 Dec. 2024
This enables an ability to adjust and refine brand experiences as needed overall and by segment, thereby offering more leeway to increase important metrics such as retention and loyalty.
—Billee Howard, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
But such cases are relatively rare, and parents usually have leeway to responsibly give their kids freedom, at the appropriate age, according to Hetherington.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leeway 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anne D’innocenzio and Dee-Ann Durbin, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
Yet many of those serving that sentence went insane in solitary, leading to a new law in 1861 that gave greater leeway in sentencing murderers.
—Dan Austin, Detroit Free Press, 23 Dec. 2024
This enables an ability to adjust and refine brand experiences as needed overall and by segment, thereby offering more leeway to increase important metrics such as retention and loyalty.
—Billee Howard, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
But such cases are relatively rare, and parents usually have leeway to responsibly give their kids freedom, at the appropriate age, according to Hetherington.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 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 6 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share