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

Citizens need assurance that safety, free speech and privacy rules are not rewritten every four years. — Paulo Carvão, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

The group also wants the university to cease ties with Israeli academic institutions and to support free speech. — Katie Moore, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026

Bart Jansen Trump called the court removing restrictions on political spending a victory for Republicans and free speech. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 1 July 2026

On first glance, the ruling is yet another in a string of cases in which the Court’s conservative majority has overturned laws that try to regulate the flow of money in politics, citing the right to free speech. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 1 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