laissez-faire

noun

lais·​sez-faire ˌle-ˌsā-ˈfer How to pronounce laissez-faire (audio)
ˌlā-,
-ˌzā- How to pronounce laissez-faire (audio)
1
: a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance of peace and property rights
argued that the problem with oil prices was too much laissez-faire
2
: a philosophy or practice characterized by a usually deliberate abstention from direction or interference especially with individual freedom of choice and action
the university has a policy of laissez-faire regarding nonacademic student activities
laissez-faire adjective

Did you know?

The French phrase laissez faire literally means “allow to do,” with the idea being “let people do as they choose.” The origins of laissez-faire are associated with the Physiocrats, a group of 18th-century French economists who believed that government policy should not interfere with the operation of natural economic laws. (The actual coiner of the phrase may have been French economist Vincent de Gournay, or it may have been François Quesnay, who is considered the group’s founder and leader.) The original phrase was “laissez faire, laissez passer,” with the second part meaning “let (things) pass.” Laissez-faire, which first showed up in an English context in the first half of the 19th century, can still mean “a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs,” but it is also used in broader contexts in which a “hands-off” or “anything-goes” policy or attitude is adopted. It is frequently used as an adjective meaning “favoring a ‘hands-off’ policy,” as in “laissez-faire economics.”

Examples of laissez-faire in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The United States has shifted from its laissez-faire position on the unfettered flow of information and increasingly embraces restrictions on transfers of data to China and other competitors. Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 26 Feb. 2024 That might be because of its laissez-faire approach to moderation; hate speech wasn’t banned from the site until 2020. Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, 24 Feb. 2024 The government-and-economics department had already sponsored a course called The Future of Capitalism, team-taught by colleagues whose views range from social-democratic to laissez-faire. Bernard Avishai, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2024 Seems like can't get enough of the amusing juxtaposition between Boomers' grumpy, laissez-faire parenting and Millennials' endlessly appeasing, hands-on style. Maressa Brown, Parents, 30 Jan. 2024 Alterations to the algorithm and a laissez-faire approach to moderation have lent X an air of sustained mayhem. Jason Parham, WIRED, 29 Jan. 2024 To support the company’s laissez-faire stance in the wake of its recent controversy, McKenzie cited a post from another Substack writer, Elle Griffin, that defended the platform’s approach of leaving content moderation largely to its individual writers. Will Oremus, Washington Post, 12 Jan. 2024 There’s a science to the seemingly laissez-faire act of sporting an oversize shirt. Erika Veurink, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2023 Until recently, Kick employed a laissez-faire approach to content moderation, which attracted controversial characters like Mr. Ross, who was banned from Twitch earlier this year. . Kellen Browning, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'laissez-faire.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French laissez faire, imperative of laisser faire to let (people) do (as they choose)

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of laissez-faire was in 1814

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Dictionary Entries Near laissez-faire

Cite this Entry

“Laissez-faire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laissez-faire. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

laissez-faire

noun
lais·​sez-faire
ˌle-ˌsā-ˈfa(ə)r,
ˌlā-,
-ˌzā-,
-ˈfe(ə)r
: a doctrine opposing governmental interference in economic affairs
laissez-faire adjective
Etymology

from the French phrase laissez faire "let (people) do (as they choose)"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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