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
As the Labour government continues to face growing criticism over a number of issues, from cracking down on free speech to its migration policies, many Britons are concerned about their country's future.
—Michael Saunders, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
In 2020 – amid COVID lockdowns and George Floyd chaos – there were 252 incidents attempting to interfere with free speech recorded by FIRE.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025
September While Jimmy Kimmel was briefly taken off air by ABC in a real-world, dismay-inducing free speech row, the business was equally spooked by an artificial intelligence creation.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
Critics may challenge the law on free speech or interstate commerce grounds.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for free speech
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michael Saunders, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
In 2020 – amid COVID lockdowns and George Floyd chaos – there were 252 incidents attempting to interfere with free speech recorded by FIRE.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 27 Dec. 2025
September While Jimmy Kimmel was briefly taken off air by ABC in a real-world, dismay-inducing free speech row, the business was equally spooked by an artificial intelligence creation.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 Dec. 2025
Critics may challenge the law on free speech or interstate commerce grounds.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 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 1 Jan. 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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share