voice

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: sound produced by vertebrates by means of lungs, larynx, or syrinx
especially : sound so produced by human beings
b(1)
: musical sound produced by the vocal folds and resonated by the cavities of head and throat
(2)
: the power or ability to produce musical tones
(3)
: singer
(4)
: one of the melodic parts in a vocal or instrumental composition
(5)
: condition of the vocal organs with respect to production of musical tones
(6)
: the use of the voice (as in singing or acting)
studying voice
c
: expiration of air with the vocal cords drawn close so as to vibrate audibly (as in uttering vowels and consonant sounds as \v\ or \z\)
d
: the faculty of utterance
lost my voice
2
: a sound resembling or suggesting vocal utterance
3
: an instrument or medium of expression
the party became the voice of the workers
4
a
: wish, choice, or opinion openly or formally expressed
the voice of the people
b
: right of expression
also : influential power
5
: distinction of form or a system of inflections of a verb to indicate the relation of the subject of the verb to the action which the verb expresses
active and passive voices

voice

2 of 2

verb

voiced; voicing

transitive verb

1
: to express in words : utter
voice a complaint
2
: to adjust for producing the proper musical sounds
3
: to pronounce (a speech sound, such as a consonant) with voice
4
a
: to provide a voice-over for (something, such as a motion picture or commercial) : to narrate (a recorded production)
Actress Idina Menzel evoked her recent success voicing the movie "Frozen" with an icy all-white white concoction with a feathery train by Donna Karan Atelier.Jocelyn Noveck and Alicia Rancilio
b
: to perform the lines of (a character in an animated film, video game, etc.)
Featuring characters voiced by Will Ferrell and Morgan Freeman, the cartoon promises to be a real, ahem, blockbuster.Franz Lidz
Phrases
with one voice
: without dissent : unanimously
Choose the Right Synonym for voice

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels.

express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

Examples of voice in a Sentence

Noun He has a deep voice. “Can we speak privately?” she said in a low voice. a voice on the radio We heard voices coming from the next room. She does the voices for several cartoon characters. I shouted so much that I lost my voice. She has a terrific voice. Town meetings give people a voice in local politics. Listen to the voice of the people. Please vote and make your voices heard! Verb The senator angrily voiced his objection to the bill. voiced a suggestion about where to go
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
If Lange was stressed or frustrated, his voice didn’t show it. Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 When the show first aired, none of the voice actors or creators knew how widespread the fanbase was. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The actor’s credits also include a voice gig in Fox’s Duncanville and features Finding Dory, Mr. Peabody & Sherman, Dawn of the Dead, The Incredible Hulk, Fur and Muppets Most Wanted. Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 But as Rodgers closed the song with a flourish in her ethereal head voice, McEntire hit her button to bring the emotive songstress onto her team. USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 The softness in her voice is calming amid her chaotic schedule. Celeste Polanco, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024 Amid the din of Denver Coliseum, Chris Olson’s voice rose above the rest. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2024 Forte has been one of the loudest voices campaigning against the tax-free changes and has seen the impact for himself via his network of five-star properties that straddle the U.K. and EU. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 The blend of voices and the unified commitment is one of the hallmarks of the chorale. Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
Verb
When one of the characters voiced an objection, a video of the protest posted to social media shows a man in the audience standing up. Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 15 Mar. 2024 As international calls for a cease-fire grow, President Biden, a strong supporter of Israel, has increasingly voiced frustration with Netanyahu. Mikhail Klimentov, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 Previously, the Biden administration voiced support for a thorough review of the $14.1 billion deal that was announced in December. Matt Egan, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 The only state in the country with a significant elver catch is Maine, where fishermen have voiced concerns in recent months about the possibility of a cut to the fishery's strict quota system. Patrick Whittle, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 In January, the city held a public input meeting where residents could voice their opinions about the draft charter. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 12 Mar. 2024 Trump has repeatedly voiced his disapproval of NATO, and in recent months, his rhetoric has escalated to perhaps its most aggressive on record. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 Dozens of disgruntled Anaheim residents and Disneyland fans alike attended the meeting to voice their opinions about the proposal. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 In the years since the film debuted to largely positive reviews and four Academy Award nominations, criticisms of its white savior narrative have only gotten louder, voiced even by the movie’s own stars. Shania Russell, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'voice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old French vois, from Latin voc-, vox; akin to Old High German giwahanen to mention, Greek epos word, speech, Sanskrit vāk voice

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of voice was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near voice

Cite this Entry

“Voice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voice. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

voice

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: sound produced by vertebrates in the larynx or syrinx
especially : sound so produced by human beings (as in speaking)
b
: the power of speaking
lost my voice
2
a
: musical sound produced by the vocal cords
b
: the ability to sing
a singer with a great voice
c
: singer entry 1
one of the finest voices of our time
d
: one of the melodic parts in a vocal or instrumental composition
e
: condition of the vocal organs for singing
in good voice
3
: a sound like a vocal sound
the voice of the cricket
4
: a medium of expression
the newspaper was the voice of optimism
5
a
: wish, choice, or opinion openly or formally expressed
the law was passed despite many opposing voices
b
: the right to express a wish, choice, or opinion
students want a voice in school affairs
6
: a grammatical form showing the relation between the subject of a verb and the action which the verb expresses

voice

2 of 2 verb
voiced; voicing
1
: to express in words
voice a complaint
2
: to vibrate the vocal cords in pronouncing
voice a consonant

Medical Definition

voice

noun
1
: sound produced by vertebrates by means of lungs, larynx, or syrinx
especially : sound so produced by human beings
2
: the faculty of utterance : speech
voice transitive verb
voiced; voicing

More from Merriam-Webster on voice

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