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 Enlightenment faith in reason, science, and free speech, already weakened by the First World War, had been devastated by an unprecedented bureaucracy of mass death, sustained by technology, systematic deceit, widespread gullibility, and eager acquiescence. —Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

As the Second Red Scare shows, when free speech is under attack, strategic compliance may be useful for individuals. —Jodie Childers, The Conversation, 20 Nov. 2025

The tenured prof claims his reassignment violates free speech and seeks reinstatement and damages. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Taking these steps is not meant to police free speech but rather to protect the right of American citizens to engage in dialogue that is unpolluted by foreign disinformation. —James P. Rubin, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2025

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