civil liberty

noun

plural civil liberties

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's speech or actions by other individuals or by the government especially as constitutionally guaranteed (as by the U.S. Bill of Rights)

—usually plural

Examples of civil liberties include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the right to due process of law.—Ramon Martin

compare civil rights

civil libertarian noun

plural civil libertarians

civil libertarian adjective

… continued divisions within the GOP on civil libertarian issues. —Ian Duncan and Lisa Mascaro

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

Immigration rights groups have raised concerns about civil liberties and detention conditions. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 27 June 2026 With each emergency, laws were enacted, bureaus created, budgets enlarged, and civil liberties restricted. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 1 July 2026 After the deaths of Good and Pretti, JD Vance appears unconcerned about civil liberties or the deaths of Americans. — Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The Justice Department portrays the group as antifa militants, while defense lawyers and civil liberties advocates warn the case could reshape how protests and free speech rights are prosecuted nationwide. — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for civil liberty

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of civil liberty was in 1640

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Browse Nearby Words

civil libertarian

civil liberty

civil list

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Civil liberty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20liberty. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Legal Definition

civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's pursuits (as in expressing thoughts, practicing a religion, or pursuing a living) by individuals or especially by the government and especially as constitutionally guaranteed

—usually used in pl. see also civil right

civil liberty

noun

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Legal Definition

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