freedom
nouncommon in dialogue
- Canada//ˈfɹi.dəm//
- Australia//ˈfɹiːdəm//
- Scotland//ˈfɾi.dəm//
- //ˈfɾiːdəm//
The state of being free.
noun
- 1
The state of being free.
Having recently been released from prison, he didn't know what to do with his newfound freedom.
However, the next generation of innovators to benefit from this freedom – Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple et al – saw no reason to extend it to anyone else.
- 2
The lack of a specific constraint, or of constraints in general; a state of being free, unconstrained.
Freedom of speech is a basic democratic value.
People in our city enjoy many freedoms.
Every child has a right to freedom from fear and freedom from want.
The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe- a desolate, dry planet with vast deserts. Hidden away within the rocks of these deserts are a people known as the Fremen, who have long held a prophecy, that a man would come, a messiah, who would lead them to true freedom. The planet is Arrakis, also known as Dune.
- 3
The right or privilege of unrestricted use or access
Freedom of a city
Yet the wisest princes, who adopted the maxims of Augustus, guarded with the strictest care the dignity of the Roman name, and diffused the freedom of the city with a prudent liberality.
The freedom of the city can now only be acquired by birth or servitude; but many were formerly admitted by gift and purchase, a fine of from £ 3 to £ 25, according to trade, being charged on the admission of strangers.
- 4
Frankness; openness; unreservedness.
I doubt not, that you will take amiss my freedom; but as you have deserved it from me, I shall be less and less concerned on that score, as I see you are more and more intent to show your wit at the expense of justice and compassion.
- 5
Improper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum.
"A first love is not easily extinguished, Mr. Allanson," said she. "You may guess from my appearance, that I have been fortunate in life; but, for all that, my first love for you has continued the same, unaltered and unchanged, and you must forgive the little freedoms I used to-day to try your affections, and the effects my appearance would have on you."
Etymology
From Middle English fredom, freedom, from Old English frēodōm (“freedom, state of free-will, charter, emancipation, deliverance”), from Proto-West Germanic *frijadōm (“freedom”). Equivalent to free + -dom. Cognate with North Frisian fridoem (“freedom”), Dutch vrijdom (“freedom”), Low German frīdom (“freedom”), Middle High German vrītuom (“freedom”), Norwegian fridom (“freedom”).
Forms
- plural
- freedoms