speaking

adjective

speak·ing | \ˈspē-kiŋ

Definition of speaking

1a : that speaks : capable of speech

b : having a population that speaks a specified language —usually used in combination English-speaking countries

c : that involves talking or giving speeches a speaking role a speaking tour

2 : highly significant or expressive : eloquent

3 : resembling a living being or a real object

Examples of speaking in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After their first speaking engagement, more speaking requests came in. — Ryan Bergeron, CNN, "Woman lost 2 sons in one night to opioids; fighting the crisis is now her life's work," 20 Apr. 2018 This would grant it the capacity to form part of the official opposition to the ruling party, to gain additional speaking time in parliament and to hold more sway in powerful government commissions. — Isaac Stanley-becker, Washington Post, "Marine Le Pen congratulates Emmanuel Macron on his victory in French presidential race," 7 May 2017 Worse, no women were included in that weekend’s meeting between movement leaders and President Kennedy, and none were in the major speaking lineup for the march—not Fannie Lou Hamer, not Diane Nash, not Rosa Parks, not Ella Baker. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, "The Many Lives of Pauli Murray," 7 Apr. 2017

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