laissez faire
or lais·ser faire
the theory or system of government that upholds the autonomous character of the economic order, believing that government should intervene as little as possible in the direction of economic affairs.
the practice or doctrine of noninterference in the affairs of others, especially with reference to individual conduct or freedom of action.
Origin of laissez faire
1Other definitions for laissez-faire (2 of 2)
or lais·ser-faire
of, relating to, or conforming to the principles or practices of laissez faire.
Origin of laissez-faire
2Other words from laissez-faire
- laissez-faireism, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use laissez faire in a sentence
The second reason the government has adopted such a laissez-faire attitude toward drug producers is an economic one.
“This guy is a real challenge to the whole libertarian-leaning laissez-faire political idea,” says Winters of Francis.
In an era when government oversight was almost nonexistent and laissez-faire capitalism was in its heyday, Kennedy excelled.
“The Patriarch”: Joseph Kennedy Sr.’s Outsized Life | Jacob Heilbrunn | November 21, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTGiven the distrust the military has for the press, it is surprising to see how laissez-faire the general is with Hastings.
Juiciest Bits From Michael Hastings Book on Stanley McChrystal, Afghanistan | Laura Colarusso | January 5, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTInstead, he prefers an entirely laissez-faire approach to job-destroying financial crises.
And the maxim of laissez faire became the last word of social wisdom.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice | Stephen LeacockThey knew perfectly well the laissez-faire relations which obtained between the two Westerners.
Blazed Trail Stories | Stewart Edward WhiteMazzini carefully dissociated himself alike from the laissez-faire school and a despotic state socialism.
The Life of Mazzini | Bolton KingThey represent the laissez faire doctrine as applied to advertising.
The period of laissez faire in imperial matters, of Little Englandism, drew to a close in the early eighties.
The Canadian Dominion | Oscar D. Skelton
British Dictionary definitions for laissez faire
laisser faire
/ (ˌlɛseɪ ˈfɛə, French lese fɛr) /
Also called: individualism the doctrine of unrestricted freedom in commerce, esp for private interests
(as modifier): a laissez-faire economy
indifference or noninterference, esp in the affairs of others
Origin of laissez faire
1Derived forms of laissez faire
- laissez-faireism or laisser-faireism, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for laissez-faire
[ (les-ay-fair, lay-zay-fair) ]
French for “Let (people) do (as they choose).” It describes a system or point of view that opposes regulation or interference by the government in economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary to allow the free enterprise system to operate according to its own laws.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Browse