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
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Does this not violate the first amendment protecting free speech?
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
The rulings also point to a potential reckoning with the Section 230 provision of the Communications Decency Act that governs free speech.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
The City Council on Thursday passed a bill aimed at limiting the scope of disruptive protests outside of synagogues and other houses of worship that has sparked concern over free speech issues that critics say is aimed at pro-Palestinian protesters.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Your right to free speech is strongest in public spaces, such as streets, sidewalks and parks.
—Hannah Hudnall, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 2026
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Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
The rulings also point to a potential reckoning with the Section 230 provision of the Communications Decency Act that governs free speech.
—Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2026
The City Council on Thursday passed a bill aimed at limiting the scope of disruptive protests outside of synagogues and other houses of worship that has sparked concern over free speech issues that critics say is aimed at pro-Palestinian protesters.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
Your right to free speech is strongest in public spaces, such as streets, sidewalks and parks.
—Hannah Hudnall, IndyStar, 26 Mar. 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 30 Mar. 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
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