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Definition of public speaking
1 : the act or process of making speeches in public
2 : the art of effective oral communication with an audience
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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
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Recent Examples on the Web Aside from the mayor, other council members and some members of the public spoke out in favor of expanding the city’s boundaries.
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al, "Annexation continues to loom in Mobile as city and county grapple over police costs," 15 Jan. 2020 Additional writing and public speaking workshops will allow students to learn creative writing skills and practice various forms of self expression.
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Joy Sewing, Houston Chronicle, "100 student authors honored, $100k raised at iWrite luncheon," 21 Nov. 2019 During public comments on Thursday in Springfield, about a dozen members of the public spoke about how the rules would affect them.
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Greg Bishop, Washington Examiner, "Video surveillance, storage requirements among top concerns of gun store owners as rules are set for new state gun dealer law," 21 Feb. 2020 The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking course is designed to help people overcome their fear of public speaking with essential guides on how to deliver the perfect speech.
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NBC News, "An $11 course could improve your public speaking—and confidence," 11 Oct. 2019 Councilwoman Regina Salas said after numerous members of the public spoke.
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USA TODAY, "Tibetan monks at turtle release, puppy rescue 911: News from around our 50 states," 3 Feb. 2020 Gilbert has been an educator and public speaking coach for professionals and executives.
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Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, "Friends, co-workers launch their SecondAct with startup aimed at women making mid-life changes," 24 Dec. 2019 Cyntoia Brown speaks: The world will hear from Cyntoia Brown during her first public speaking appearance since being released from a Tennessee prison in August.
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Michelle Krupa, CNN, "Start your Monday smart: Opioid trial, impeachment, Brexit, EU tariffs, Dems' debate," 13 Oct. 2019 Many want a piece of Ionescu; an interview here, an autograph there, myriad public speaking appearances.
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oregonlive, "Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu is ‘the face of all of college basketball,’ says Ducks coach Kelly Graves," 7 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese 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.
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Time Traveler for public speaking
The first known use of public speaking was in 1759
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