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

Why is safeguarding the value of free speech so important to our democracy? — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 27 June 2026

O'Hara sued the district last October, claiming police officers violated his First Amendment rights to free speech and his Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable seizures and excessive force. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

For now, the ads remain on MTA buses, and so does the debate over where free speech ends and public sensitivity begins. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 24 June 2026

On Friday, Alzubi filed a lawsuit against Fort Worth Independent School District, arguing that the district had violated her free speech. — Ciara McCarthy 24, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 June 2026

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