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

Hemphill was greeted Tuesday in the Capitol by Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who was speaker of the House when the attack occurred. —David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026

The organizers held several speaking engagements along the march, often featuring the same speakers. —Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2026

An onboard synthesizer manipulates a small set of core sounds to mimic everything from the roar of a jet plane to the flushing of a toilet through a little speaker in the Brick. —New Atlas, 6 Jan. 2026

The speaker’s office did not respond to a request for further comment. —Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 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