free speech

noun

: speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

also : the right to such speech

an unconstitutional restraint on free speech

—Nat'l Law Jour.

Examples of free speech in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Speaking with the broadcaster Sky News on Tuesday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak declined to comment on Rowling’s remarks specifically but characterized the new Scottish law as a violation of free speech. —Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

The resolution aimed to promote the city as a safe space for free speech, work with local schools to promote safety for students, enlist human relations organizations to initiate community meetings to bridge differences and facilitate humanitarian relief once a cease-fire is in place. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

Britain's prime minister supports J.K. Rowling amid Scotland's new legislation Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Britain had a proud tradition of free speech and that the new law had given the police the wrong priorities. —Staff and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024

Other migrants nod to restrictions on personal life in China, where Xi has overseen a sweeping crackdown on free speech, civil society and religion in the country of 1.4 billion. —Marlon Sorto, CNN, 1 Apr. 2024

But as brands there to promote free speech absolutism, none wanted to be seen as unwilling to engage or do business with them. —Lisa Hagen, NPR, 1 Apr. 2024

Threats against Arab, Jewish and Muslim Americans are on the rise, according to federal officials, and college campuses have been embroiled in angry debates over Zionism, Palestinian rights, antisemitism and free speech. —Tobi Raji The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 29 Mar. 2024

The High Court is giving US prosecutors three weeks to respond, and wants the US to ensure that Assange will be allowed to cite the First Amendment's free speech protections as a defense. —Kate Irwin, PCMAG, 26 Mar. 2024

Those four cases, along with the one on Monday, will collectively rebalance the power of the government and powerful technology platforms in the realm of free speech. —Adam Liptak, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

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