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 could give the Fed some leeway to cut rates again within months.
—
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
So, Congress knows that presidents have enormous leeway in declaring an emergency.
—Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
In practical terms, an administration now has less leeway to stretch statutes for partisan or authoritarian ends without encountering judicial pushback.
—Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
The Supreme Court in a 2014 decision gave the executive branch broad leeway to fill executive branch vacancies when the Senate is not in session, even for political purposes such as difficulty securing Senate confirmation.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for leeway 
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Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025
So, Congress knows that presidents have enormous leeway in declaring an emergency.
—Noah Feldman, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025
In practical terms, an administration now has less leeway to stretch statutes for partisan or authoritarian ends without encountering judicial pushback.
—Victor Menaldo, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025
The Supreme Court in a 2014 decision gave the executive branch broad leeway to fill executive branch vacancies when the Senate is not in session, even for political purposes such as difficulty securing Senate confirmation.
—John Parkinson, ABC News, 21 Jan. 2025
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 16 Feb. 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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