vol·un·tary
ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē 
1
: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
a voluntary action
voluntary cooperation
2
: unconstrained by interference : self-determining
a voluntary participant
3
law
a
: done by design or intention : intentional
was convicted of voluntary manslaughter
b
: acting or done of one's own free will without valuable consideration or legal obligation
a voluntary conveyance
4
: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will
voluntary muscle movements
voluntary behavior
5
: having power of free choice
a voluntary agent
6
: provided or supported by voluntary action
a voluntary institution/organization
voluntarily
adverb
voluntariness
noun
plural voluntaries
1
a
: a prefatory often extemporized musical piece
b
: an improvisatory organ piece played before, during, or after a religious service
2
: one who participates voluntarily
Examples of voluntary in a Sentence
Adjective
Participation in the program is completely voluntary.
He was charged with voluntary manslaughter.
the voluntary muscles that control urination
Recent Examples on the Web
Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Over the past 10 months, EOIR has lost more than 125 judges to firings and voluntary resignations, down from about 700 judges at the start of the year.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Jasmine Browley, Essence, 12 July 2022
In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi voluntary gave up his nuclear program, but that didn’t stop the United States from actively supporting rebels who toppled his regime and savagely killed him.
—Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
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Adjective
As the industry geared up to gather in Venice, the Senate Committee passed a draft law outlining a voluntary certification system for brands’ pipeline across all tiers of subcontracting, aimed at ensuring legality and traceability throughout, as reported.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Over the past 10 months, EOIR has lost more than 125 judges to firings and voluntary resignations, down from about 700 judges at the start of the year.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Others made the shift into self-employment voluntary after taking the time to evaluate their professional standing.
—Jasmine Browley, Essence, 12 July 2022
In Libya, Muammar Gaddafi voluntary gave up his nuclear program, but that didn’t stop the United States from actively supporting rebels who toppled his regime and savagely killed him.
—Michael A. Cohen, The New Republic, 25 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for voluntary
Cite this Entry
“Voluntary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voluntary. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
voluntary
1 of 2 adjective
vol·un·tary
ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
1
: done, given, or made with one's own free will
voluntary assistance
2
: not accidental : intentional
voluntary manslaughter
3
: of, relating to, or controlled by the will
voluntary behavior
voluntary
2 of 2 noun
plural voluntaries
: a musical piece played usually on the organ at a religious service
Medical Definition
voluntary
adjective
vol·un·tary
ˈväl-ən-ˌter-ē
1
: proceeding from the will or from one's own choice or consent
2
: of, relating to, subject to, or regulated by the will
voluntary behavior
voluntarily
adverb
Legal Definition
voluntary
adjective
vol·un·tary
ˈvä-lən-ˌter-ē
1
a
: proceeding from one's own free choice or consent rather than as the result of duress, coercion, or deception
a voluntary statement
b
: not compelled by law : done as a matter of choice or agreement
voluntary arbitration
c
: made freely and with an understanding of the consequences
a voluntary plea of guilty
2
: done by design or intention
3
: made without valuable consideration or for nominal consideration
a voluntary conveyance
voluntarily
adverb
ˌvä-lən-ˈter-ə-lē
voluntariness
noun
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