leeway

[ lee-wey ]

/ ˈliˌweɪ /

extra time, space, materials, or the like, within which to operate; margin: With ten minutes' leeway we can catch the train.

a degree of freedom of action or thought: His instructions gave us plenty of leeway.

Also called sag. Nautical. the amount or angle of the drift of a ship to leeward from its heading.

Aeronautics. the amount a plane is blown off its normal course by cross winds.

Origin of leeway

First recorded in 1660–70; lee¹ + way¹

2 latitude, flexibility, cushion.

Charter schools have leeway over their calendar, curriculum, and who they hire and fire.

At This Creepy Libertarian Charter School, Kids Must Swear ‘to Be Obedient to Those in Authority’ |ProPublica |October 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Federal judges are afforded a great deal of leeway by the legal system due to the difficulty of removing them from office.

The Ray Rice of Judges May Keep His Job |Tim Mak |September 11, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Now that the world is set, it gives us some leeway to have fun with the story and characters.

Guillermo del Toro on Hardcore Gothic ‘Crimson Peak’ and ‘Pacific Rim 2’ |Andrew Romano |July 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The results could be a gravely weakened Rouhani, stripped of the leeway in talks that he currently enjoys.

Why Now is Not the Time for New Sanctions on Iran |Dylan Williams |November 5, 2013 |DAILY BEAST

And the United States, in particular, gives its elected officials a tremendous amount of leeway and influence, if they want it.

Voting for Slavery? Jim Wheeler Gets Into Hot Water |Jamelle Bouie |October 30, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
Always the end arrives at ten, with perhaps a moment or two leeway in one direction or the other.

Europe After 8:15 |H. L. Mencken, George Jean Nathan and Willard Huntington Wright
He thought that two hours leeway would have been plenty of time for you.

Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin |Dorothy Wayne
"She's makin' leeway the best I can do," came back from Skipper Zeb.

Left on the Labrador |Dillon Wallace
She permitted herself no leeway in the matter, but kept resolutely to her decision.

The Short Line War |Samuel Merwin
Such a contrivance helps to improve the leeway of so shallow a boat, although not proportionately to the area immersed.

Yachting Vol. 2 |Various.

leeway

/ (ˈliːˌweɪ) /

room for free movement within limits, as in action or expenditure

sideways drift of a boat or aircraft