1
a
: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words
b
: exchange of spoken words : conversation
4
: the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking
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 most common diagnoses included disorders in speech and motor function development and autism.
—
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
An annual tradition in the legal circle, as well as his UCLA symposium sit-downs, the hourlong speech from the predominantly softspoken Ziffren clearly had a few attendees squirming in their seats near the end.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Accordingly, Raisman used her speech as an opportunity to speak up for people who are still enduring domestic abuse.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Except when the characters are actually working among the vines, the cast’s performances are largely immobile and their speech declamatory.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speech
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025
An annual tradition in the legal circle, as well as his UCLA symposium sit-downs, the hourlong speech from the predominantly softspoken Ziffren clearly had a few attendees squirming in their seats near the end.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Accordingly, Raisman used her speech as an opportunity to speak up for people who are still enduring domestic abuse.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Except when the characters are actually working among the vines, the cast’s performances are largely immobile and their speech declamatory.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for speech
Cite this Entry
“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speech. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
speech
noun1
: 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
: the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words
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