English

Noun

free speech ‎(uncountable)

1. The right to express an opinion in public without being restrained or censored.
   • 2003, Mike Godwin, Cyber Rights, The MIT Press, ISBN 0262571684, page 2:

     The term free speech, which appears in this book's subtitle as well as in its text, is used more or less interchangeably with freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression to refer to all of the expressive rights guaranteed by the forty-five words of the First Amendment, as interpreted by the U.S. courts.

2. (informal) The right to express anything anywhere without any negative consequences whatsoever.

Related terms

• free as in speech
• freedom of speech
• free-spoken

See also

• freedom of movement
• freedom of contract
• freedom of the press
• freedom of religion
• freedom of assembly
• right to petition
• right to keep and bear arms