liberation
lib-er-AY-shun
/ˌlɪbəˈreɪʃn/
The act or process of setting someone or something free from imprisonment, oppression, or foreign control.
Emphasizes the active, triumphant act of breaking free from severe physical, political, or social bondage.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin adjective liber meaning 'free', liberation entered English via Old French in the 14th century. Roman religion honored Liber, the god of wine and freedom, whose festivals celebrated freedom of speech.
Word relationships
- emancipation: Emancipation focuses on legal or institutional release from servitude, while liberation covers physical and political freedom broadly.
- enslavement: Enslavement is being held in physical bondage, opposite to liberation.
Commonly confused with
- emancipation: Liberation is broad and physical or political, while emancipation carries formal legal connotations.
Word family
- liberate (verb): To set free from imprisonment or oppression.
- liberator (noun): A person who frees a country or group.
Collocations
- liberation movement
- national liberation
- struggle for liberation
Idioms & expressions
- day of liberation
Example sentences
- "Citizens poured into the streets to celebrate the liberation of their capital city." Post-war history
Memory hook
LIBERTY is gained through LIBERATION. Setting free from bondage.
When not to use
Avoid using for trivial relief like getting off work early on Friday.
Fun facts
- The Roman god Liber Pater was worshipped as the patron of plebeian liberty, and his festival Liberalia was marked by young men wearing the toga virilis for the first time.
Related words
Explore more words
liberated, emancipation, emancipated, subjugation, extricate, Liberty
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