Speech

Full Definition of SPEECH

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

See speech defined for English-language learners 

See speech defined for kids 

Examples of SPEECH

1. She has to make a speech at the convention.
2. a graduation speech about embracing future challenges
3. I was so flustered that I momentarily lost the power of speech.
4. Slang is used mostly in informal speech.
5. Many words are more common in speech than in writing.

Origin of SPEECH

Middle English speche, from Old English sprǣc, spǣc; akin to Old Englishsprecan to speak — more at speak

First Known Use: before 12th century