freedom

 
Pronunciation: /ˈfriːdəm/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants: we do have some freedom of choice [count noun]: he talked of revoking some of the freedoms
  • absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government: he was a champion of Irish freedom
  • the power of self-determination attributed to the will; the quality of being independent of fate or necessity.
  • 2the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved: the shark thrashed its way to freedom
  • the state of being unrestricted and able to move easily: the shorts have a side split for freedom of movement
  • unrestricted use of something: the dog has the freedom of the house when we are out
  • 3 (freedom from) the state of not being subject to or affected by (something undesirable): government policies to achieve freedom from want
  • 4 (the freedom of ——) British a special privilege or right of access, especially that of full citizenship of a city granted to a public figure as an honour: he accepted the freedom of the City of Glasgow
  • 5 archaic familiarity or openness in speech or behaviour.

Origin:

Old English frēodōm (see free, -dom)