From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishprivacypriv‧a‧cy /ˈprɪvəsi, ˈpraɪ- $ ˈpraɪ-/ ●●○ noun [uncountable] 1 PRIVATE/PERSONALthe state of being able to be alone, and not seen or heard by other people With seven people squashed in one house, you don’t get much privacy.2 PRIVATE/PERSONALthe state of being free from public attention each individual’s right to privacyCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2verbsprotect somebody's privacyNames have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved.ensure privacyHe had locked the door to ensure privacy.invade somebody's privacy (=try to find out personal things about them, or disturb them when they want to be alone)She complained that the magazine had invaded her privacy by printing the photos.respect somebody's privacy (=not invade their privacy)Show teenagers that you respect their privacy by knocking on their bedroom door.phrasesan invasion of privacyRandom drug testing of employees is an invasion of privacy.somebody's right to privacyChildren feel more comfortable when parents respect their right to privacy.adjectivespersonal privacySome patients do not want counselling because they feel it interferes with their personal privacy.complete/total privacyThe lawn was surrounded by tall bushes, giving complete privacy.
Examples from the Corpus
privacy• Old ideas about privacy, and the laws that were based upon them, are fast becoming obsolete.• The problem with open plan offices is that you don't have any privacy.• This was far enough away from the trail for privacy.• Families favour the Arts Centre over bed and breakfast accommodation because it offers a greater privacy.• The central area of the Library offers facilities for private study; around the perimeter several carrels provide even greater privacy.• Her husbands colleagues kept coming to the house, invading her privacy, and expecting food and drinks.• The principals have had their shot at getting this done in privacy for weeks, and it has produced zip.• What their new home made up for in privacy, however, it lacked in comforts.• Trees with hanging foliage enclose this little park, give it privacy and shade.• The condo was beautiful, and they had plenty of privacy, with a hot tub in a little private garden.• To protect privacy, phone numbers have only been included for those governing bodies which have an office.• I waited until I was in the privacy of my own room before I opened the letter.• The press has been asked to respect the privacy of the Royal Family during this very difficult time.• the constitutional right to privacy• If you want privacy you can close the door. 