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
Another wanted to provide the prosecution in the election interference case against Trump a little more leeway.
—
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in the coming days will decide a case that could gut EMTALA, giving hospitals even more leeway to turn away pregnant patients.
—Anna North, Vox, 25 June 2024
Environmental groups opposed to the winter season, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, argue that although the crab numbers have rebounded since then, the population remains too shaky to give more leeway to harvesters.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024
However, Elizabeth Kaplan, an expert on health law and policy at Harvard Law School, said the new guidance’s wording might provide insurers leeway to require prior authorization and charge copays, if not outright deny coverage, absent obtaining such authorization.
—Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for leeway 
Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court in the coming days will decide a case that could gut EMTALA, giving hospitals even more leeway to turn away pregnant patients.
—Anna North, Vox, 25 June 2024
Environmental groups opposed to the winter season, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, argue that although the crab numbers have rebounded since then, the population remains too shaky to give more leeway to harvesters.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2024
However, Elizabeth Kaplan, an expert on health law and policy at Harvard Law School, said the new guidance’s wording might provide insurers leeway to require prior authorization and charge copays, if not outright deny coverage, absent obtaining such authorization.
—Benjamin Ryan, NBC News, 21 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for leeway
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'leeway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Leeway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leeway. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
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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