Salutary neglect was an unwritten, unofficial policy of the British government in practice from about the late 1600s to the mid-1700s that allowed its North American colonies to be left largely on their own with little British interference.

Salutary neglect, policy of the British government from the early to mid-18th century regarding its North American colonies under which trade regulations for the colonies were laxly enforced and imperial supervision of internal colonial affairs was loose as long as the colonies remained loyal to the British government.

The definition of Salutary Neglect in United States history is an unofficial policy of the British government under which trade laws and government supervision were not strictly enforced on the American Colonies – they were neglected – by the government and customs officials.