speaker

noun

speak·​er ˈspē-kər 

1

a

: one that speaks

especially : one who uses a language

native speakers of French

b

: one who makes a public speech

c

: one who acts as a spokesperson

2

: the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly

Speaker of the House of Representatives

3

: loudspeaker

speakership

ˈspē-kər-ˌship 

noun

Synonyms

• chair
• chairman
• chairperson
• moderator
• president
• presider
• prolocutor

Examples of speaker in a Sentence

I disagree with the last speaker.

He is an excellent public speaker.

Recent Examples on the Web

The bribery scheme, which has already resulted in a lengthy prison sentence for a former Ohio House speaker, centered on FirstEnergy’s efforts to convince state lawmakers to pass a $1 billion bailout of two of its affiliated nuclear plants and defend the bill from a repeal effort. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Sep. 2024

President Johnson: Egocentric leadership in a social justice context places all of the responsibility on the personality, i.e., the charismatic speaker. —Rhett Buttle, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2024

Many also have a luxury feel with large touchscreens, streaming studio classes, and Bluetooth speakers. —Ashley Zlatopolsky, Architectural Digest, 12 Sep. 2024

The governor appoints two of the five members, and the House speaker, Senate president and Arizona Supreme Court chief justice each appoint one. —Jeremy Duda, Axios, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing speaker

• guest speaker
• keynote speaker
• native speaker
• public speaker

Kids Definition

speaker

noun

speak·​er ˈspē-kər 

1

: a person who speaks

2

: a person who conducts a meeting (as of a legislature)

3

: loudspeaker

Legal Definition

speaker

noun

speak·​er

often capitalized

: the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly

Speaker of the House