/ ˈfriːdəm; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U , C ] freedom (of sth) the right to do or say what you want without anyone stopping you :
freedom of speech / thought / expression / worship
a threat to press / academic, etc. freedom
rights and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution
2.
[ U , sing. ] freedom (of sth) | freedom (to do sth) the state of being able to do what you want, without anything stopping you :
freedom of action / choice
complete freedom to do as you wish
Thanks to the automobile, Americans soon had a freedom of movement previously unknown.
3.
[ U ] the state of not being a prisoner or slave :
He finally won his freedom after twenty years in jail.
4.
[ U ] freedom from sth the state of not being affected by the thing mentioned :
freedom from fear / pain / hunger, etc.
5.
[ sing. ] the ~ of sth permission to use sth without restriction :
I was given the freedom of the whole house.
•
IDIOMS
- the freedom of the city
—see also freeman
•
IDIOMS
see manoeuvre noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English frēodōm (see free , -dom ).