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

Critics of the Senate legislation have voiced concerns around free speech. — Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

The literary and free speech advocacy group PEN America documented 2,532 instances of book bans in public schools in 2021–22. — Susan Farrell, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026

Guzman, a former law school dean who became provost in 2023, faced similar tests over protests and free speech. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Those free speech proponents include me, who, as a reporter, has clear stakes in protecting that right. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 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