leeway

• Nom désignant la marge de liberté ou de flexibilité dont on dispose dans un cadre donné, ou le déplacement latéral d'un navire ou d'un avion par rapport à sa route.

A noun referring to the amount of freedom or flexibility allowed within certain limits, or the sideways drift of a ship or aircraft from its intended course.

indénombrable

1. Sideways driftB2formaltechnical

   The unintentional lateral movement of a ship or aircraft away from its intended course due to wind or ocean currents.

   Dérive latérale

   • The captain adjusted the heading to compensate for leeway caused by the strong gale.
   • Small boats have significant leeway when sailing in rough weather.
   • The pilot reported leeway of several degrees as the crosswind increased.

   Synonymesdriftdriftagesideslip

2. Freedom within limitsB2formal

   A permissible amount of flexibility, freedom, or deviation allowed within a set of constraints or rules.

   Marge de manœuvre

   • The manager gave the team some leeway to complete the project as they saw fit.
   • The new policy allows companies leeway in how they report their environmental data.
   • Students have leeway to choose their own topics for the final essay.
   • There is limited leeway for negotiation in the fixed-price contract.

   Synonymesallowanceelbow roomflexibilitylatitudemarginplayroomscopeslack

   Antonymesconstraintlimitrestrictionrigidity