Definition

1. Noun:
   • A specific amendment to the U.S. Constitution: The First Amendment is the initial amendment in the United States Bill of Rights. It guarantees fundamental freedoms essential to a democratic society, primarily protecting individual liberties from government interference.
   • The legal guarantee of specific freedoms: It explicitly prohibits laws that establish a national religion, impede the free exercise of religion, infringe on the freedom of speech, violate the freedom of the press, interfere with the right to peaceably assemble, or prohibit petitioning the government for a redress of grievances.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The journalist cited the First Amendment in defense of her article.
  • The court's decision was a significant victory for First Amendment rights.
  • Protests are a form of expression protected by the First Amendment.

Advanced Usage

• "First Amendment jurisprudence": Refers to the body of law and legal principles developed through court cases interpreting the scope and limits of the First Amendment.

  • The lawyer specialized in First Amendment jurisprudence.

• "A First Amendment issue": A situation or legal case that involves a potential infringement or defense based on the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

  • The city's permit requirement for demonstrations raised a serious First Amendment issue.

Variants and Related Words

• First Amendment rights (noun phrase): The collective liberties protected under the First Amendment.

  • The organization fights to defend First Amendment rights.

• First Amendment protection (noun phrase): The legal safeguard provided by the First Amendment.

  • Satire often receives strong First Amendment protection.

Synonyms

• Freedom of expression: A broader term encompassing the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and petition.
• Constitutional liberties: The fundamental rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution, which include those in the First Amendment.

Related Phrases

• "To invoke the First Amendment": To call upon or cite the First Amendment as a defense or justification for one's actions.

  • The speaker invoked the First Amendment when questioned by authorities.

• "First Amendment audit": A practice where individuals record public officials in government buildings to test the boundaries of free speech and public access rights.

  • The video was part of a controversial First Amendment audit.

Related Concepts

• Bill of Rights: The collective name for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, of which the First Amendment is a part.
• Establishment Clause: The part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from establishing an official religion.
• Free Exercise Clause: The part of the First Amendment that prohibits the government from interfering with the practice of religion.

Noun

1. an amendment to the Constitution of the United States guaranteeing the right of free expression; includes freedom of assembly and freedom of the press and freedom of religion and freedom of speech