free speech

noun

: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

also : the right to such speech

an unconstitutional restraint on free speech

—Nat'l Law Jour.

Examples of free speech in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An August Gallup survey found that people are most interested in hearing from businesses about climate change, mental health and free speech, and least interested in companies weighing in on religion. —Carine Harb, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Shortly after the bill became law, TikTok sued the US government for violating the free speech protections of the company and its users by, effectively, banning the app. —Makena Kelly, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024

Do public employees, students have the right to free speech? —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2024

Included in this year’s best volumes are books on HBCUs, standardized testing, free speech and institutional leadership in a time of crisis. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

free speech

noun

: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

also : the right to such speech

Legal Definition

free speech

noun

1

: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

setting off an alarm bell is not free speech

—A. M. Dershowitz

2

: freedom of speech

an unconstitutional restraint on free speech

—National Law Journal