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

• chair
• chairman
• chairperson
• moderator
• president
• presider
• prolocutor

Examples of speaker in a Sentence

I disagree with the last speaker.

He is an excellent public speaker.

Recent Examples on the Web

And the speaker refused to link the immigration bill to the foreign aid package, knowing that would effectively kill the spending plan. —Catie Edmondson, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2024

Here’s a schedule of all the speakers, readers and events this weekend at the free festival: events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024

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

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