Wiktionary
n. 1 (context physics English) Any of the coordinates, a minimum number of which are needed to specify the motion of a mechanical system 2 (context physics English) Any of the independent variables required to specify the thermodynamic state of a system containing components and phases 3 (context mathematics English) Any unrestricted variable in a frequency distribution
WordNet
n. (statistics) an unrestricted variable in a frequency distribution
one of the minimum number of parameters needed to describe the state of a physical system
Usage examples of "degree of freedom".
After years of defiance, Boyle was finally transferred to the Barlinnie Experimental Special Unit, where prisoners were allowed an unusual degree of freedom.
And Otir, if he has held back from coming to terms at once, has promised us life and limb and this degree of freedom until he comes to a decision.
There, presumably, he would be able to move around with some degree of freedom, enough to enable him to keep his pledge to Sal.
But to insist on kindness would be to eliminate that degree of freedom for which volition in creatures was invented.
He was a dupe, a tool of the Pantathians, who somehow managed a degree of freedom, and he used that to create a position for himself, one where he could manipulate others .
With that accomplished, a new word and a gesture from the sorceress sufficed to grant Valdemar another degree of freedom from the magical restrictions on his movement.
He was a dupe, a tool of the Pantathians, whosomehow managed a degree of freedom, and he used that to create aposition for himself, one where he could manipulate others .
About twelve noon, however, the vessel's motion was observed to be considerably less, and the sailors were enabled to walk upon deck with some degree of freedom.
These arrangements represent what is theoretically an optimum compromise between prisoner security and the degree of freedom essential to efficiently operate the windlass.