freedom
noun uk/ˈfriː.dəm/ us/ˈfriː.dəm/
B2 [ C or U ]自由;不受限制;自主
the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited
I felt such a sense of freedom, up in the hills alone. 独自一人呆在山上，我感到非常自在。
Children are allowed much more freedom these days. 现在孩子们的自由大得多了。
[ + to infinitive ] In college, you have the freedom to do what you want. 在大学里，你想做什么就可以做什么。
Everyone should be allowed freedom of choice (= the ability to make their own choices). 每个人都应享有自由选择的权利。
Freedom of speech and freedom of thought (= the ability to say and think whatever you want) were both denied under the dictatorship. 在独裁统治下，言论和思想的自由都被剥夺了。
They are campaigning for freedom of information (= for any information to be allowed to be given to anyone who wants it). 他们正在争取信息自由。
We demand freedom from injustice/persecution (= the condition of not having to suffer these things). 我们要求摆脱不公正的待遇／迫害。
Synonym: liberty (FREEDOM)
[ C ]自由权利
a right to act in the way you think you should
Being able to vote as you want to is an important political/democratic freedom. 能够按自己的意愿投票是一项重要的政治／民主权利。
[ U ]（不被监禁的）自由
the state of not being in prison
They regained their freedom after ten years of unjust imprisonment. 他们含冤入狱10年后重获自由。
give someone the freedom of UK（授予（某人）在（某城市）的特权
to honour someone by giving them special rights in a particular city
The pensioner will be given the freedom of Chester today at the age of 93.
In 1910, Hardy was given the freedom of the borough.
The cricketer was later given the freedom of Cheltenham.
The former President was even given the freedom of the city.
All three men are to be given the freedom of Belfast.
- More examples
- This party stands for low taxes and individual freedom.
- He wants greater freedom to develop his own ideas.
- During his speech, he laid particular stress on the freedom of the press.
- "We are not terrorists, " he said evenly. "We are freedom fighters."
- For most citizens, liberty means the freedom to practise their religious or political beliefs.