# liberation

/ˌɫɪˌbɝˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /lˌɪbəɹˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/liberation
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. setting free

noun · CEFR B2

the act of setting a person or a place free from imprisonment or enemy control.

For teachers: the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; the release of a country from occupation.

- The liberation of the city was celebrated with a huge parade in the streets.
- Following years of brutal occupation, the liberation of the capital marked a definitive turning point in the regional conflict.

### 2. social equality

noun · CEFR B2

the movement to get equal rights and freedom for a specific group of people.

For teachers: the achievement of equal social rights and status, specifically freedom from historical or structural prejudice.

- The women's liberation movement changed how people thought about work and home.
- The seminar focused on the history of various liberation movements and their impact on contemporary civil rights legislation.

### 3. stealing or taking

noun · CEFR C1 · Humorous · Informal

a funny or polite way to say you took something that does not belong to you.

For teachers: a euphemistic or ironic reference to the act of taking or stealing something.

- I noticed the 'liberation' of a few pens from the office supply cabinet.
- He jokingly referred to the 'liberation' of his roommate's leftover pizza as a necessary intervention for the sake of fridge space.

Teaching tip: This sense is purely ironic; using it in a serious context will make you sound like you are admitting to a crime while trying to hide it.

## Examples

- The people celebrated their liberation from the cruel leader.
- The liberation of the city brought an end to years of military occupation and restored local governance.
- Historians often debate whether the sudden liberation of the markets led to genuine economic growth or merely created a vacuum for new forms of exploitation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.