speaking

adjective speak·ing \ ˈspē-kiŋ \

Definition of speaking

1 a : 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

Recent Examples of speaking from 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.