speech

noun

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
b
: an individual manner or style of speaking
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
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.
West Wing creator Aaron Sorkin’s shows were known for the walk and talk, but Sheridan favors the stop and talk, where one of his squinty-eyed, seen-it-all stand-ins launches into a speech. Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2025 In Tuesday’s speech, Trump blamed the surge on his Democratic predecessor. Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2025 But minutes into Trump’s speech, Rep. Al Green (D-TX), 77, was forcibly removed from the House chamber for his persistent demonstration. Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 Sharing the stage with prominent figures like Elon Musk, Rudy Giuliani, and Tucker Carlson, Trump Jr. delivered a speech that energized the crowd and reinforced the campaign's key messages. William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speech

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of speech was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speech. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

speech

noun
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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on speech

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!