takes the floor

phrase

present tense third-person singular of take the floor
as in speaks
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject The senator took the floor to talk about international relations.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of takes the floor Everyone’s spread out with a respective mountain of vending-machine snacks in front of them, each taking their own moment to stare down Oleksa, when Joe takes the floor. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for takes the floor
holds forth
Phrase
  • In a revealing interview, the great American designer holds forth on his LVMH sale, past scandals, and exactly—or maybe not so exactly—what his next chapter will mean for his runway collections.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026
  • At dinner that night in the volunteer’s mess tent, Patrick Lee holds forth.
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 1 Dec. 2016

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Cite this Entry

“Takes the floor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/takes%20the%20floor. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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