speaker

noun

speak·​er ˈspē-kər 

1

a

: one that speaks

especially : one who uses a language

native speakers of French

b

: one who makes a public speech

c

: one who acts as a spokesperson

2

: the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly

Speaker of the House of Representatives

3

: loudspeaker

speakership

ˈspē-kər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms of speaker

• chairperson
• moderator
• president
• chairman
• presider

Examples of speaker in a Sentence

I disagree with the last speaker.

He is an excellent public speaker.

Recent Examples on the Web

Standouts right now include receipt-privacy cases against grocery chains, a data-breach settlement for Xfinity customers and a big Google Assistant privacy payout for people whose smart speakers or phones accidentally recorded them. —Staff Reports, USA Today, 25 May 2026

Some speakers praised the developer for working with residents on their concerns about landscaping, parking and the 69 trees to be planted on the property. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026

Tom Allen, the head of sports science and performance, carried a giant bluetooth speaker. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 25 May 2026

Classes range from perfume to pottery, and a robust calendar includes concert and speaker series. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 25 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing speaker

• guest speaker
• keynote speaker
• native speaker
• public speaker

Rhymes for speaker

• beaker
• meeker
• seeker
• sneaker
• weaker
• loudspeaker

Kids Definition

speaker

noun

speak·​er ˈspē-kər 

1

: a person who speaks

2

: a person who conducts a meeting (as of a legislature)

3

: loudspeaker

Legal Definition

speaker

noun

speak·​er

often capitalized

: the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly

Speaker of the House