ventriloquy

noun

ven·​tril·​o·​quy ven-ˈtri-lə-kwē 

: ventriloquism sense 1

Examples of ventriloquy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Liebe Hart gave the show a heart and a theology of its own, evoking alien romances and crafting small father-son dramas through song and ventriloquy. —Luke Winkie, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2021

For all its transformation and ventriloquy, her work’s revelations are rooted in observation; epic frameworks illuminate frequently ugly truths. —Hannah Aizenman, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2020

But Sofia Vergara may give the contestants a run for their money with her own ventriloquy talent. —Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin ventriloquium, from Late Latin ventriloquus "person who appears to produce speech sounds from within his or her body (as during spirit possession or under control of a deity)" + Latin -ium -y entry 3 — more at ventriloquist

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above