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
Harold Ickes Examples of free speech in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The law’s enactment followed a Supreme Court ruling in 2010 that struck down a 1999 animal cruelty law that was determined to be too broad and a violation of free speech rights.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September while speaking at a Utah university, established Turning Point USA in 2012 to encourage young people to engage in free speech and advocate for conservative policies.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Since the late 1980s, South Korea has transformed into a robust democracy, with regular protests, free speech, fair elections and peaceful transfers of power.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
The lack of First Amendment protections from the nation's high court has agitated some legal scholars who see the protections for free speech and petitioning the government as deeply connected to public employees' labor rights.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 19 Feb. 2026
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Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2026
Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated in September while speaking at a Utah university, established Turning Point USA in 2012 to encourage young people to engage in free speech and advocate for conservative policies.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026
Since the late 1980s, South Korea has transformed into a robust democracy, with regular protests, free speech, fair elections and peaceful transfers of power.
—Helen Regan, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
The lack of First Amendment protections from the nation's high court has agitated some legal scholars who see the protections for free speech and petitioning the government as deeply connected to public employees' labor rights.
—Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for free speech
Cite this Entry
“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal 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
A. M. Dershowitz2
: freedom of speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech—National Law Journal
National Law JournalLove words? Need even more definitions?
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