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 shift in direction has many in Chicago legal circles wondering if Chicago’s next top federal prosecutor will have the same leeway as his predecessors.
—
Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The Times reported that while agencies have some leeway in implementation, major shifts like this usually must go through formal rulemaking and adhere to the intent of Congress.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Without oversight, these entities will have more leeway to engage in deceptive lending, impose excessive fees, and deny fair access to credit with little accountability.
—Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
People also change their minds, so have a leeway for them.
—Barbara Puszkiewicz-Cimino, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025
The Times reported that while agencies have some leeway in implementation, major shifts like this usually must go through formal rulemaking and adhere to the intent of Congress.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Without oversight, these entities will have more leeway to engage in deceptive lending, impose excessive fees, and deny fair access to credit with little accountability.
—Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
People also change their minds, so have a leeway for them.
—Barbara Puszkiewicz-Cimino, Forbes, 7 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 23 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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