overbreadth

Main Entry: over·breadth
Pronunciation: "O-v&r-'bredth, -'bretth; 'O-v&r-"
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of being overbroad overbreadth>
2 : a doctrine in constitutional law: a law that prohibits protected conduct (as free speech) as part of its reach may be struck down as unconstitutional if the threat to protected activity is a substantial effect and if it cannot be clearly removed; also : a doctrine allowing a defendant accused of unprotected conduct to challenge a law for overbreadth esp. in the area of free speech