allocution
noun
al·lo·cu·tion
ˌa-lə-ˈkyü-shən 
: a formal speech
especially
: an authoritative or hortatory address
Examples of allocution in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The sentencing is expected to take approximately one hour and include what's called an allocution, in which Trump can make a statement to the court.
—
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
The horrifying abuse began in 2014, when the girl was just 7 years old, and escalated to include anal rape, the 36-year-old man told the court during his guilty plea allocution, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
The opinion by the three-judge panel, written by Judge Thomas Kirsch, also slammed the door on Arroyo’s argument that U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger erred at sentencing by deeming Arroyo’s allocution statements aggravating.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2023
Before the judge announces the sentence, Crusius’ defense attorney is expected to deliver an allocution – a defendant’s formal address to the court – on behalf of the shooter to the El Paso courtroom.
—Rosa Flores, CNN, 7 July 2023
It is called the allocution.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 18 Aug. 2020
From August 2013 to November 2014, LaFarge and LaFarge Cement Syria knowingly and willfully agreed to a conspiracy to make and authorize payments for the benefit of armed groups in Syria, Anderson said in a plea allocution.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2022
During the first minute of his allocution statement, Gordon was stifled by tears.
—Johnny Magdaleno, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Sep. 2022
In his allocution on Thursday, Lewis implicated friend Rashaun Weaver, also now 16, as Majors' primary attacker nearly two years ago.
—NBC News, 15 Oct. 2021
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.
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 10 Jan. 2025
The horrifying abuse began in 2014, when the girl was just 7 years old, and escalated to include anal rape, the 36-year-old man told the court during his guilty plea allocution, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
—Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 30 July 2024
The opinion by the three-judge panel, written by Judge Thomas Kirsch, also slammed the door on Arroyo’s argument that U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger erred at sentencing by deeming Arroyo’s allocution statements aggravating.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2023
Before the judge announces the sentence, Crusius’ defense attorney is expected to deliver an allocution – a defendant’s formal address to the court – on behalf of the shooter to the El Paso courtroom.
—Rosa Flores, CNN, 7 July 2023
It is called the allocution.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 18 Aug. 2020
From August 2013 to November 2014, LaFarge and LaFarge Cement Syria knowingly and willfully agreed to a conspiracy to make and authorize payments for the benefit of armed groups in Syria, Anderson said in a plea allocution.
—Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2022
During the first minute of his allocution statement, Gordon was stifled by tears.
—Johnny Magdaleno, The Indianapolis Star, 26 Sep. 2022
In his allocution on Thursday, Lewis implicated friend Rashaun Weaver, also now 16, as Majors' primary attacker nearly two years ago.
—NBC News, 15 Oct. 2021
Dictionary Entries Near allocution
Cite this Entry
“Allocution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allocution. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
allocution
noun
al·lo·cu·tion
ˌa-lə-ˈkyü-shən
: a formal speech
especially
: one made by a defendant at the time of sentencing
Etymology
Latin allocutio, from alloqui to speak to, from ad to + loqui to speak
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share