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

• address
• declamation
• harangue
• oration
• peroration
• talk

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

Powell’s comments followed a speech earlier Tuesday by Fed Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, who also appeared to raise the prospect that the Fed would not carry out three cuts this year in its benchmark rate. —Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024

Google last month fired a worker who protested a speech by Google’s top executive in Israel at a conference in New York. —Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Lowery said in Monday’s speech that despite the progress, more work needs to be done to increase higher-education attainment. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024

Autism spectrum disorder is a range of conditions (hence the spectrum) that show up as difficulties with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. —Essence, 17 Apr. 2024

Any sort of speech not directed consciously toward her the wife would have been hesitant to hear. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

The Kansas Democrat steered clear of the throng surrounding the president and left the chamber shortly after the speech. —Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024

In her speech at the ceremony, the star mentioned that the project has been two years in the making. Day three of Coachella continues on Sunday (April 14) with performances by Doja Cat, J Balvin, Jhené Aiko, Lil Yachty, and many more. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 14 Apr. 2024

Hosted by Ludacris, the show included performances from Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Tate McRae, Latto, along with a surprise performance from the Icon Award recipient Cher and a special speech from Beyoncé after Stevie Wonder presented her with the Innovator Award. —Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Apr. 2024

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

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