speech

noun

ˈspēch 

1

a

: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words

b

: exchange of spoken words : conversation

2

a

: something that is spoken : utterance

b

: a usually public discourse : address

3

a

: language, dialect

b

: an individual manner or style of speaking

4

: the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking

Synonyms of speech

• lecture
• talk
• address
• oration
• sermon
• presentation
• monologue
• declamation
• peroration

Examples of speech in a Sentence

She has to make a speech at the convention.

a graduation speech about embracing future challenges

I was so flustered that I momentarily lost the power of speech.

Slang is used mostly in informal speech.

Many words are more common in speech than in writing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The senator discussed jobs, tax cuts, school choice, investment accounts for children, immigration, foreign policy and freedom in the wide-raging speech. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2026

Kent also appeared at a Washington gala of Catholics for Catholics, where he was celebrated — and where Owens delivered a keynote speech. —David M. Drucker, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2026

Huang, the company’s co-founder in 1993, spoke of $1 trillion in AI demand in the conference keynote speech and while wearing his omnipresent jeans, T-shirt and black leather jacket. —James Raia, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026

Much of his speech was directed at Saudi Arabia, demanding compensation for the blockade and the long-term damage to Yemen as a result of Riyadh’s military campaign against the Houthis between 2015 and 2022. —Tim Lister, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English speche, from Old English sprǣc, spǣc; akin to Old English sprecan to speak — more at speak

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing speech

• acceptance speech
• figure of speech
• freedom of speech
• free speech
• hate speech
• part of speech
• polite speech
• speech community
• speech day
• speech form
• speech impediment
• speech therapy
• stump speech
• visible speech

Rhymes for speech

• beach
• beech
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech
• meech
• peach
• preach

Kids Definition

speech

noun

ˈspēch 

1

: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words

2

a

: something that is spoken

b

: a public talk

3

: a form of communication (as a language or dialect) used by a particular group

4

: the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking

Medical Definition

speech

noun

ˈspēch 

: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words

Legal Definition

speech

noun

: words or conduct used to communicate or express a thought : expression see also commercial speech, freedom of speech, free speech, obscene, symbolic speech