First Amendment

noun

1. an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, prohibiting Congress from interfering with freedom of religion, speech, assembly, or petition.

First Amendment

¹

1. The first article of the Bill of Rights. It forbids Congress from tampering with the freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and the press.

First Amendment

²

1. An amendment to the United States Constitution guaranteeing the rights of free expression and action that are fundamental to democratic government. These rights include freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, and freedom of speech. The government is empowered, however, to restrict these freedoms if expression threatens to be destructive. Argument over the extent of First Amendment freedoms has often reached the Supreme Court. (See clear and present danger, libel, and obscenity.)

The First Amendment begins the Bill of Rights.

Example Sentences

Supporters of Chiles in this case often frame the issue around the idea that laws like Colorado’s represent an infringement on the First Amendment rights of would-be conversion therapists.

From Salon

The company said it is "committed to protecting the First Amendment".

From BBC

Thanks to Disney abruptly suspending Kimmel’s show on Sept. 17, he’s shaping up to be the most famous First Amendment defender this moment requires.

From Salon

Three times, in court — and I won each time thanks to Ted Boutrous, one of the best First Amendment attorneys on the planet.

From Salon

Cruz, as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, could demand real answers from the FCC and push back on what his Democratic colleagues describe as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment.”

From Salon

When To Use

What is the First Amendment?

The First Amendment is an amendment to the US Constitution that forbids Congress from making any law that discriminates against any religion or that restricts freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to assemble, or the right to protest.The Constitution of the United States is the document that serves as the  fundamental law of the country. An amendment is a change to something. An amendment to the Constitution is any text added to the original document since its ratification in 1788. The Constitution has been amended 27 times in American history.The entire text of the First Amendment reads:“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”The First Amendment has one detail that many Americans get wrong or misunderstand. This amendment only protects your freedom of speech from being restricted by the government or an organization funded by the government. Private businesses, such as Twitter, Wal-Mart, and the Walt Disney Company, can and often do restrict your speech or expression if they believe it could harm their business.