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

Early on, Heilmann was exposed to the free speech movement, the Beat Generation, and surf culture, all of which made a strong impression on the young artist. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 15 Aug. 2026

That, Judge Julius Richardson said, violated the right to free speech. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Rights groups say the ​crackdown has violated free speech and due process rights and created an unsafe environment, particularly for ethnic minorities, ​who have raised concerns about racial profiling. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2026

That tradition, according to free speech defenders, is under threat across the pond. — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 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