prior restraint

noun

A restriction on expression imposed before the fact against particular speech or ideas (as opposed to restrictions against general subject matter or imposed after the fact against a particular instance of expression).

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Meanings

nounprior restraint (plural prior restraints)

plural prior restraints · alternative prior censorship · alternative pre-publication censorship

  1. lawA restriction on expression imposed before the fact against particular speech or ideas (as opposed to restrictions against general subject matter or imposed after the fact against a particular instance of expression).
Cite this entry
APA

prior restraint. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prior%20restraint

MLA

“prior restraint.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prior%20restraint. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “prior restraint,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/prior%20restraint.

Source: prior restraint on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.