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
Although there is some leeway with installation height, care should be taken.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Women have some leeway regarding wearing skirts or shorts.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Even if lawmakers make the contests nominally nonpartisan, the wide leeway for political activity by justice candidates could effectively lead to Republican vs. Democratic races in all but name.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
Countries have some leeway to set their own pilot training standards, and the U.S. has the highest threshold for minimum flight hours in the world.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for leeway
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 June 2025
Women have some leeway regarding wearing skirts or shorts.
—Julio Cesar Valdera Morales, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Even if lawmakers make the contests nominally nonpartisan, the wide leeway for political activity by justice candidates could effectively lead to Republican vs. Democratic races in all but name.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025
Countries have some leeway to set their own pilot training standards, and the U.S. has the highest threshold for minimum flight hours in the world.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 12 June 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 29 Jul. 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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