freedom

plural freedoms

1. uncountableThe state of being free.

   Having recently been released from prison, he didn't know what to do with his newfound freedom.

   2 more examples

   Well Russia at the present time is at a crossroads. It is often said that the Cold War is over and that the West has won it- that's only half true. Because what has happened is that the communists have been defeated, but the ideas of freedom now are on trial. If they don't work, there will be a reversion to, not communism which has failed, but what I call a new despotism which would pose a mortal danger to the rest of the world because it would be infected with the virus of Russian imperialism which of course has been a characteristic of Russian foreign policy for centuries.

   1992 March 30, Richard Nixon, 13:46 from the start, in Richard Nixon on ‘Inside Washington’, Richard Nixon Foundation, via Seoul Broadcasting System, archived from the original on 09 Oct 2017

   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.

   2024 May 4, John Naughton, “The internet is in decline – it needs rewilding”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms: freehood

2. countableThe lack of a specific constraint, or of constraints in general; a state of being free, unconstrained.

   People in our city enjoy many freedoms.

   5 more examples

   Freedom of speech is a basic democratic value.

   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.

   1984, 1:50 from the start, in Dune (Science Fiction), spoken by Princess Irulan, →OCLC

   China's experience reminded me of the French and Russian revolutions. The pattern was the same: People seized control by promising to promote certain ideals. Once they had consolidated power, they abused it, casting aside their beliefs and brutalizing their fellow citizens. It was as if mankind had a sickness that it kept inflicting on itself. The sobering thought deepened my conviction that freedom— economic, political, and religious — is the only fair and productive way of governing a society.

   2010, George W. Bush, Decision Points, →ISBN, →OCLC, →OL, page 23

   The dispatches […] also exposed the blatant discrepancy between the west's professed values and actual foreign policies. Having lectured the Arab world about democracy for years, its collusion in suppressing freedom was undeniable as protesters were met by weaponry and tear gas made in the west, employed by a military trained by westerners.

   2013 June 7, Gary Younge, “Hypocrisy lies at heart of Manning prosecution”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 18

   Synonyms: freeness

3. countableuncountableThe right or privilege of unrestricted use or access

   Freedom of a city

   2 more examples

   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.

   1776, Edward Gibbon, “2i”, in The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Strahan; and T[homas] Cadell, […], →OCLC

   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.

   1854, History, Gazetteer, and Directory, of Norfolk, and the City and County of the City of Norwich ... (Sheffield, Francis White & Co.), p 77

4. countableuncountableFrankness; 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.

   1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter L”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC

5. countableuncountableImproper familiarity; violation of the rules of decorum.

   1 more example

   "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."

   1828, James Hogg, Mary Burnet

comparative more freedom · superlative most freedom

1. UShumorousAmerican, especially in a jingoistic way

   freedom gas

   2 more examples

   freedom freckles

   freedom units

2. USderogatoryhumorousUsed to censor a term relating to something perceived as anti-American; especially, to censor French during the Iraq War

   freedom fries

   1 more example

   freedom toast

1. A number of places in the United States:
   1. A census-designated place in Santa Cruz County, California.
   2. A settlement in Wilkinson County, Georgia.

      The people in Freedom include a range of professionals from doctors to real estate agents. Still, the group needs to build roads and establish running water and electricity before it can start building homes.

      2020 September 30, Ashley Schwartz-Lavares and Steve Osunsami, “Black Americans are leaving their homes to start their own all-Black communities”, in ABC News, archived from the original on 24 Feb 2026

   3. An unincorporated community in both Caribou County, Idaho and Lincoln County, Wyoming.
   4. An unincorporated community in Franklin Township, Owen County, Indiana.
   5. An unincorporated community in Russell County, Kentucky.
   6. A town in Waldo County, Maine.
   7. A township and unincorporated community therein, in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
   8. An unincorporated community in Osage County, Missouri.
   9. A town in Carroll County, New Hampshire.
   10. An unincorporated community in Frontier County, Nebraska.
   11. A town and hamlet therein, in Cattaraugus County, New York.
   12. A town in Woods County, Oklahoma.
   13. A borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
   14. An unincorporated community in Sanpete County, Utah.
   15. A town in Forest County, Wisconsin.
   16. A town and unincorporated community therein, in Outagamie County, Wisconsin.
   17. A town in Sauk County, Wisconsin.
   18. A number of other townships, listed under Freedom Township.
2. A barangay of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon, Philippines.
3. Former name of the International Space Station.
4. A surname.