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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
So again, important issues — what is free speech and what can the government do to counter lies and propaganda without infringing on it? — that the court wants no part of.
—
Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2024
Their lessons about free speech and free thinking reverberated both outside the United States and within its borders.
—
Robin Givhan, Washington Post, 25 June 2024
This dynamic is impeding free speech since people are afraid to speak up because of how they will be attacked in both traditional and social media by distortions that are meant to bring them down.
—
Ray Dalio, TIME, 25 June 2024
Social media regulation and free speech The Supreme Court will determine whether state laws restricting how social media companies moderate content violate the First Amendment.
—
Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2024
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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
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 4 Jul. 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
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
2
: freedom of speech
an unconstitutional restraint on free speech—
National Law Journal
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