Does the First Amendment apply to private companies?

No, the First Amendment restricts government action only; private companies can set their own speech rules.

What are the five freedoms of the First Amendment?

Religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petitioning the government.

Is hate speech protected by the First Amendment?

Generally yes, with very narrow exceptions for incitement to imminent lawless action or true threats.

Is there a British equivalent to the First Amendment?

Not a single equivalent. Free speech is protected through a combination of common law, the Human Rights Act 1998, and other legislation.

Is “first amendment” formal?

First amendment is usually formal, academic, legal, journalistic in register.

How do you pronounce “first amendment”?

First amendment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst əˈmendmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜrst əˈmɛndmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

first amendment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˌfɜːst əˈmendmənt/US/ˌfɜrst əˈmɛndmənt/

Formal, Academic, Legal, Journalistic

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “first amendment” mean?

The first amendment to the United States Constitution, protecting fundamental freedoms including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The first amendment to the United States Constitution, protecting fundamental freedoms including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

May refer broadly to the concept or principle of free speech and freedom of expression, especially in legal, political, and journalistic contexts, sometimes extended metaphorically to other domains.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Strictly refers to the U.S. Constitution; UK has no direct equivalent. In the UK, similar principles are covered by common law, the Human Rights Act 1998 (Article 10), and other statutes, but the term 'First Amendment' is not used domestically.

Connotations

In the US, it carries strong patriotic and ideological weight, symbolising core American values. In the UK, it is understood purely as a reference to US law and politics.

Frequency

Very high frequency in US legal, political, and media discourse. Low frequency in everyday UK English, appearing mainly in discussions of US affairs or comparative law.

Grammar

How to Use “first amendment” in a Sentence

The [NOUN] is a First Amendment issue.They argued it violated the First Amendment.The case centres on First Amendment rights.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

First Amendment rightsviolate the First AmendmentFirst Amendment protectionFirst Amendment caseFirst Amendment scholar

medium

defend the First AmendmentFirst Amendment argumentunder the First AmendmentFirst Amendment issueFirst Amendment law

weak

First Amendment debateinvoke the First AmendmentFirst Amendment challengeFirst Amendment principleFirst Amendment concern

Examples

Examples of “first amendment” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

The barrister discussed the relevant UK human rights provisions, not a First Amendment matter.

American English

The university faced a First Amendment lawsuit after cancelling the controversial speaker.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in contexts like media companies, advertising regulation, or employee speech policies.

Academic

Common in law, political science, history, media studies, and philosophy papers.

Everyday

Appears in news discussions about protests, social media bans, or controversial speech.

Technical

Core term in US constitutional law, with specific tests like 'strict scrutiny' applied to government actions affecting it.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “first amendment”

Neutral

free speech guaranteefree expression clauseconstitutional protection for speech

Weak

free speech principlefreedom of expression provision

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “first amendment”

censorship prior restraintspeech regulation

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “first amendment”

Using lowercase ('first amendment') in formal US legal writing. Applying it to non-US contexts (e.g., 'The UK's first amendment'). Using 'First Amendment' as a verb.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, the First Amendment restricts government action only; private companies can set their own speech rules.
: Religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petitioning the government.
: Generally yes, with very narrow exceptions for incitement to imminent lawless action or true threats.
: Not a single equivalent. Free speech is protected through a combination of common law, the Human Rights Act 1998, and other legislation.
: The first amendment to the United States Constitution, protecting fundamental freedoms including religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
: First amendment is usually formal, academic, legal, journalistic in register.
: First amendment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɜːst əˈmendmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɜrst əˈmɛndmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“a First Amendment issue”
“hide behind the First Amendment”
“wave the First Amendment flag”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: FIRST things first — your FIRST freedoms (speech, religion, press, assembly, petition) are FIRST in the Bill of Rights.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS A SHIELD (protecting speech), A WALL (separating church and state), A FOUNDATION (of democracy).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The Supreme Court case established a landmark precedent for protection in schools.

Multiple Choice

In which country is the 'First Amendment' a primary constitutional provision?