The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word LIBERTY
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
L
I
B
E
R
T
Y
More clues leading to the result LIBERTY
- One boy in Lyon, not on shore leave
- Valance, perhaps, having no ties
- Leisure finds French composer in empty library
- Consort beheaded before Yard secures international disposal
- Monarch totally disheartened after politician creates free state
- Terribly mistreated, without one right or freedom
- Freedom party English try to reform
- New York statue terribly damaged — that’s not right
- Right cheek
- Terribly upset to lose the last of our freedom
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "freedom" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case freedom = liberty.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LIBERTY mean?
LIBERTY noun- The condition of being free from control or restrictions.
- The condition of being free from imprisonment, slavery or forced labour.
- The condition of being free to act, believe or express oneself as one chooses.
- Freedom from excessive government control.
- A short period when a sailor is allowed ashore.
- (often plural) A breach of social convention.
- A local division of government administration in medieval England.
- (game of go) an empty space next to a group of stones of the same color.