voluntary: Meaning and Definition of

vol•un•tar•y

1. done, made, brought about, undertaken, etc., of one's own accord or by free choice: a voluntary contribution.
2. of, pertaining to, or acting in accord with the will: voluntary cooperation.
3. of, pertaining to, or depending on voluntary action: voluntary hospitals.
4. voluntary manslaughter.
1. acting or done without compulsion or obligation.
2. done by intention, and not by accident:voluntary manslaughter.
3. made without valuable consideration:a voluntary settlement.
5. subject to or controlled by the will.
6. having the power of willing or choosing: a voluntary agent.
7. proceeding from a natural impulse; spontaneous: voluntary laughter.

1. something done voluntarily.
2. a piece of music, frequently spontaneous and improvised, performed as a prelude to a larger work, esp. a piece of organ music performed before, during, or after an office of the church.