free speech

noun

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

also : the right to such speech

… speakers were allowed to exercise their constitutional right of free speech …

—Harold Ickes

Examples of free speech in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The union representing Fort Worth police officers is asking for the release of body camera footage from an incident in June that has raised questions about officers’ understanding of free speech rights. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026

That letter was a communication relating to a governmental proceeding and also was a lawful exercise of the Hus' free speech rights. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Adam Candeub, currently general counsel at the Federal Communications Commission, helped Trump’s first administration go after Big Tech on free speech grounds. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 22 July 2026

In France, some opposition lawmakers opposed the bill at an earlier stage over concerns about free speech and access to informative online content. — Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for free speech

• beseech
• impeach
• outreach
• beach
• beech
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech

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