free thought

American  

noun

1. thought unrestrained by deference to authority, tradition, or established belief, especially in matters of religion.

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free thought British  

noun

1. thought unrestrained and uninfluenced by dogma or authority, esp in religious matters

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Etymology

Origin of free thought

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

Policy scarcely matters, and one wonders if free thought is on the endangered list, too.

From Seattle Times

Robbing children of the chance to find their voices in literature is a violation of their right to free thought and free speech.

From Los Angeles Times

When the newspaper elPeriodico was founded in Guatemala in 1996, the country was emerging from a brutal civil war, and there was a feeling that a small space for free thought might be opening.

From New York Times

So it is good to know that there are educators in this world who encourage free thought and free expression among students who want candidly to discuss events relevant to their lives.

From Washington Post

Its founders envisaged it as a bastion of free thought.

From Los Angeles Times