civil liberty

noun

plural civil liberties

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's speech or actions by other individuals or by the government especially as constitutionally guaranteed (as by the U.S. Bill of Rights)

—usually plural

Examples of civil liberties include freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, the right to privacy, and the right to due process of law.

—Ramon Martin

compare civil rights

civil libertarian noun

plural civil libertarians

civil libertarian adjective

… continued divisions within the GOP on civil libertarian issues.

—Ian Duncan and Lisa Mascaro

Examples of civil liberty in a Sentence

Freedom of speech is a civil liberty.

Recent Examples on the Web

The deal includes language that the use of the models will be consistent with civil liberties, constitutional rights and applicable law, the source said. —Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026

This close work between the private entity – usually Google – and law enforcement throughout the geofence warrant process raises significant privacy and civil liberties concerns. —Anne Toomey McKenna, The Conversation, 29 Apr. 2026

This is the kind of concern that rightly has civil liberties groups on the alert. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Palantir staff question company’s commitment to civil liberties There’s little doubt that Americans are questioning the White House in the wake of its use of force at home and abroad. —Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1640, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

civil liberty

noun

: freedom from arbitrary interference in one's pursuits (as in expressing thoughts, practicing a religion, or pursuing a living) by individuals or especially by the government and especially as constitutionally guaranteed

—usually used in pl. see also civil right