SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

public speaking

noun

Definition of public speaking

1 : the act or process of making speeches in public

2 : the art of effective oral communication with an audience

See public speaking defined for English-language learners

Examples of public speaking in a Sentence

He has a fear of public speaking.
She has a gift for public speaking.
a book on public speaking

Recent Examples of public speaking from the Web

Several members of the public spoke out against the technology on Wednesday, some of whom took issue with the communities that were chosen, saying the system could lead to over-policing of communities with large minority populations.

— lyndsay winkley, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego police to continue using gunshot detection system, despite some criticism," 7 Oct. 2017
No members of the public spoke during the non-voting workshop session.

— steve dreyer, Pomerado News, "Poway water, sewer rates proposed to increase," 18 Oct. 2017
No one from the public spoke out against the ban at the city meeting.

— ryan van velzer, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Marijuana dispensaries banned in Delray Beach," 27 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'public speaking.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of public speaking

1759

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

public speaking Synonyms

Synonyms

elocution, oratory;

Related Words

bombast, grandiloquence;

eloquence, rhetoric;

discourse, speech, talk;

PUBLIC SPEAKING Defined for English Language Learners

public speaking

noun

Definition of public speaking for English Language Learners

: the act or skill of speaking to a usually large group of people

Learn More about public speaking

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for public speaking Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public speaking

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up public speaking? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

loath

play

unwilling or reluctant

BROWSE DICTIONARY

public-service corporation

public speaker

public speaking

public-spirited

public square

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-5adf5d017e6bf

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

alt-5ada140ed3e28

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game

Examples: public speaking in a Sentence