academic freedom

noun

: freedom to teach or to learn without interference (as by government officials)

Examples of academic freedom in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

But the confusion had already furthered some faculty members’ doubts about the university’s commitment to academic freedom, and concerns weren’t squashed in time to avoid the ire of the campus speech group known as the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. —

Samantha Ketterer, Houston Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026 Opponents of the bill, including many faculty and teacher groups, argued the legislation infringes on free speech and academic freedom. —

Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026 The Chicago Principles is a set of policies developed at the University of Chicago in 2015 to formally establish the importance of free expression and academic freedom on campus. —

Cate Charron, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026 Faculty and civil rights groups warn censoring such topics is a violation of academic freedom. —

Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for academic freedom

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of academic freedom was in 1863

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

academic costume

academic freedom

academician

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Academic freedom.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/academic%20freedom. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Copy Citation