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.
Nat'l Law Jour. Examples of free speech in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The attorneys also say students' free speech rights are greater off campus than on, and point to a three-pronged test used by federal courts to determine the legality of school regulations related to off-campus speech.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
And the plan’s only nod to misinformation is framed as a free speech issue.
—Mohammad Hosseini, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2025
Powered by People filed a responding lawsuit against Paxton on Friday, alleging his investigation violates the group's right to association, free speech and equal protection, the Houston Chronicle reported.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
Therefore, the court held that association officials did not violate the school’s right to free speech or free exercise of religion.
—Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2025
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Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 13 Aug. 2025
And the plan’s only nod to misinformation is framed as a free speech issue.
—Mohammad Hosseini, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2025
Powered by People filed a responding lawsuit against Paxton on Friday, alleging his investigation violates the group's right to association, free speech and equal protection, the Houston Chronicle reported.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025
Therefore, the court held that association officials did not violate the school’s right to free speech or free exercise of religion.
—Charles J. Russo, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2025
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 21 Aug. 2025.
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
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