Word
emancipation
Phoneticseman·ci·pa·tion
US/ɪˌmænsəˈpeɪʃən/
UK/ɪmˌɑːnsɪpˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01legal or political freedom
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal · Academic
n. the act of giving people their freedom, especially from slavery or unfair laws.
n. the formal act of liberating a group from legal, social, or political subjection, most notably used in the context of the abolition of slavery.
“The document led to the emancipation of thousands of people who were held as slaves.”
“The Emancipation Proclamation served as a pivotal legal instrument during the American Civil War, fundamentally altering the legal status of millions.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general concept of freedom.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02personal or social independence
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the process of becoming free from someone else's control or from old-fashioned ideas.
n. the state of being freed from controlling influences, prejudices, or traditional social constraints.
“The invention of the bicycle contributed to the social emancipation of women in the nineteenth century.”
“Modern digital tools have facilitated the economic emancipation of workers in remote regions, allowing them to bypass traditional local gatekeepers.”
Teaching tip
While sense 1 is often historical and legal, sense 2 is common in sociology and discussions about personal growth or social progress.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“After the emancipation of enslaved Africans in the British empire in the 1830s, the Birley family supported the enslaving US confederacy, which was integral to their cotton interests.” “Renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna described Ekane's death as "the extinguishing of a fierce and passionate flame" that burned for democratic emancipation.” Etymology
1630, from French émancipation, from Latin ēmancipātiō. In the US, with reference to anti-slavery, abolitionism, first used in 1785 by Charles Godfrey Leland. In Britain, with reference to easing of restrictions on Catholics, in 19th century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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