From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlatitudelat‧i‧tude /ˈlætɪtjuːd $ -tuːd/ noun 1 [countable, uncountable]TMSG the distance north or south of the equator (=the imaginary line around the middle of the world), measured in degrees → longitude2 → latitudes3 [uncountable] formalFREE TO DO WHAT YOU WANT freedom to choose what you do or sayconsiderable/greater latitude (=a lot of freedom to choose) Pupils enjoy considerable latitude in deciding what they want to study.latitude in/for Employees should have some latitude in organizing their work. —latitudinal /ˌlætɪˈtjuːdɪnəl $ -ˈtuːdn-əl/ adjective
Examples from the Corpus
latitude• Having his own show gives Williams wide latitude to discuss controversial topics.considerable/greater latitude• It is true also that the most recent judicial statements afford considerable latitude to the public authority in devising its own procedures.• A Member has no need to disguise his statement and will be allowed greater latitude in making it.• It was intended to replace the recently abandoned Gold Standard, but gives a much greater latitude.• The decision would appear to give the medical profession considerable latitude in deciding what is necessary.• In turn these open up the field to considerable latitude of local interpretation.From Longman Business Dictionarylatitudelat‧i‧tude /ˈlætətjuːd-tuːd/ noun [uncountable] journalism freedom to choose what you do or saylatitude inThe new guidelines give banks more latitude in making loans.States generally have wide latitude in setting tax policies.Origin latitude (1300-1400) Latin latitudo, from latus “wide” 