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
After all, researchers need time, leeway and stability to get things done.
—
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
After the economic one-two-punch of the Great Depression and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, however, Congress gave the president some leeway over tariffs.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
Additionally, midseason entries typically get more leeway and are given time to find an audience with a partial Season 2 pickup.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025
However, the presence of ICE in schools, particularly when their agents are given leeway to act without proper legal procedures, can traumatize students, disrupt learning, and impose undue burdens on educators and administrators.
—Rebecca Ragan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
After the economic one-two-punch of the Great Depression and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, however, Congress gave the president some leeway over tariffs.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
Additionally, midseason entries typically get more leeway and are given time to find an audience with a partial Season 2 pickup.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 3 Apr. 2025
However, the presence of ICE in schools, particularly when their agents are given leeway to act without proper legal procedures, can traumatize students, disrupt learning, and impose undue burdens on educators and administrators.
—Rebecca Ragan, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 24 Apr. 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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