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

Common symptoms can include numbness or tingling, slurred speech, electric-shock sensations accompanying certain neck movements, trouble walking or not being able to walk at all, partial or complete loss of vision, among others, according to the clinic. —Anika Reed, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

Symptoms can include difficulty with coordination and walking, partial or complete loss of vision, often in one eye at a time, slurred speech, mood changes, vertigo, and more. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026

Young people under pressure Leo has already offered words of encouragement to Cameroon’s youth, including in his opening speech to President Paul Biya — at 93 the world’s oldest leader. —Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026

Waller mapped out two main scenarios on how the Iran war and its impact on energy and commodity prices will guide his approach to monetary policy, in a speech Friday. —Bloomberg, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 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