freedom of speech

American  

noun

1. the right of people to express their opinions publicly without governmental interference, subject to the laws against libel, incitement to violence or rebellion, etc.

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freedom of speech Cultural  

1. The right to speak without censorship or restraint by the government. Freedom of speech is protected by the First Amendment (see also First Amendment) to the Constitution. (See clear and present danger.)

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Etymology

Origin of freedom of speech

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

freedom of speech

These threats implicate the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of assembly as well as of freedom of speech.

From Slate ● Sep. 28, 2026

“Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

Constitution protects the right to freedom of speech.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Listen to which political candidates right now are talking about freedom of speech or immigration issues.

From Salon ● Jul. 20, 2026

For democracy to work, Eisenhower realized that one of the most important civil liberties was the freedom of speech.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti