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Definition of "leeway" []

  • The drift of a ship or an aircraft to leeward of the course being steered. (noun)
  • A margin of freedom or variation, as of activity, time, or expenditure; latitude. See Synonyms at room. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "leeway" in a sentence
  • "It does help to know that period of leeway is built in; it helps me to let go of that polished draft for the first time."
  • "Where I am allowed considerable leeway is in expanding situations and characters."
  • "• Despite official promises that higher limits would be more strictly enforced, we're getting more leeway from the police, who all but ignore speeders 10 to 15 mph over the limit."