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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
Evans, 38, an Army veteran and former Arvada police officer, campaigned on hot-topic issues including free speech, gun rights and American security.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Musk has said the purpose of the giveaway is to encourage people to sign a petition supporting constitutional rights, specifically the First and Second amendments — the right to free speech and the right to bear arms.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Not because of his right to free speech—which exists to protect against government interference—but because of how Musk chooses to operate his platform.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
The Georgia Supreme Court said a law used to arrest two Democratic state legislators who were protesting inside the Capitol did not violate their free speech rights.
—Kristal Dixon, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1765, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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
noun1
: 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
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