What does "free software" mean?

Software that can be freely copied, redistributed and modified, including source code; software that is libre.

Free software

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Noun

1
Software that can be freely copied, redistributed and modified, including source code; software that is libre. uncountable
"[Richard Stallman's] work inspired many others to contribute free software under the GPL."
2
Any software that is free of charge, such as freeware. uncountable
"At the very least, good free software can reduce the total cost of entering the microworld. But it may also enable you to equip your system with more memory, more power, and more peripherals than you could afford if you had to sink hundreds of dollars into commercial programs."

"[Richard Stallman's] work inspired many others to contribute free software under the GPL."