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

For her part, Swift explained in Miss Americana why the couple valued their privacy. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024

Security and data privacy are critical, so implementing OAuth2.0 or Basic Authentication and setting up secure network controls are essential steps. —Dipak Kulkarni, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Netflix argued that the disclosure undermined her invasion of privacy claim. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024

The complaint accuses Hill of battery, defamation and false light invasion of privacy. —Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024

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