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 Bowen in his suit against Police Chief Jim Ison claims his First Amendment rights to free speech were violated and the chief retaliated against him over critical remarks the officer made on Facebook. Sarah Nelson, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 Related Articles Reddit, which hasn’t turned a profit in nearly 20 years, files IPO Finally, this dependence on social media is shaping the right’s position on free speech. David French, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Arizona politicians have devoted lasting attention to free speech on college campuses over the last few years, particularly focused on Arizona State University, but the outcomes have been varied. The Arizona Republic, 1 Mar. 2024 What should have been a regular Matthews Board of Commissioners meeting briefly devolved into a conversation about free speech on Monday. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 1 Mar. 2024 Critics have said the bill violates the United States Constitution’s First Amendment protections for free speech and that parents, not the government, should make decisions about the online presence of their children. Gabriella Borter, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Feb. 2024 The result, critics argue, is stifling free speech. Rick Rojas, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2024 Facebook and Twitter say that both laws infringe on free speech rights of companies under the Constitution’s First Amendment by restricting their ability to choose what content to publish on their platforms. Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 California should be the first state defending the right to free speech on the internet. The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free speech.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free speech was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near free speech

Cite this Entry

“Free speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20speech. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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 speechA. M. Dershowitz
2
: freedom of speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speechNational Law Journal
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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