free speech
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of free speech
An Americanism dating back to 1840–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The Fifth Amendment protection to due process, the First Amendment protection to free speech, they apply whether you’re a citizen or not,” Lee said.
From Slate ● Jul. 23, 2026
Department of State gave money to groups protecting free speech, human rights and persecuted minorities in poor and authoritarian countries.
From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026
"A platform originally designed for free speech and expression now favours abuse and misinformation over meaningful debate," she wrote.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
Officials accused her in the letter of violating the university’s time, place and manner policy, which sets rules on free speech activities on campus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2026
In fact, the Virginia Resolutions described the Alien and Sedition Acts as “alarming infractions” of the Constitution that violated the free speech guarantees of the First Amendment.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
