speech

speech
speech S2 W2 /spiːtʃ/ noun1. [countable] a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of people
    make/give/deliver a speech
    Each child had to give a short speech to the rest of the class.
    He has to make a lot of after-dinner speeches.
    speech on/about
    a major speech on relations with China
    Collins gave the keynote speech (=most important speech).
2. [uncountable] the ability to speak:
    Only humans are capable of speech.
3. [uncountable] spoken language rather than written language:
    In speech we use a smaller vocabulary than in writing.
4. [uncountable] the particular way in which someone speaks:
    Bob’s speech was slurred, and he sounded drunk.
5. [countable] a set of lines that an actor must say in a play:
    Hamlet’s longest speech
⇨ direct speech, figure of speech, indirect speech, part of speech, reported speech, ⇨ speech bubble at bubble¹(4), ⇨ freedom of speech at freedom(1)
     

COLLOCATIONS

■ verbs
   ▪ give/make a speech She gave a speech at the party conference.
   ▪ deliver a speech formal The President delivered a major speech to Congress yesterday.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + speech
   ▪ long The speeches were all really long.
   ▪ short/brief The chairman opened the meeting with a brief speech.
   ▪ a passionate/impassioned speech (=full of strong feeling) She made impassioned speeches on civil rights.
   ▪ an emotional speech (=showing emotions, especially by crying) On retiring, she delivered an emotional farewell speech.
   ▪ a moving speech (=making people feel strong emotions) That was a very moving speech.
   ▪ a powerful speech (=having a strong effect on people's opinions) He gave a powerful speech calling for unity.
   ▪ a rousing/stirring speech (=making people feel excited and eager to do something) Thousands of people were inspired by his stirring speeches.
   ▪ a major speech (=very important) This was her first major speech as party leader.
   ▪ somebody's inaugural speech (=their first one in an important political job) He said all the right things in his inaugural speech.
   ▪ somebody's acceptance speech (=when they accept a political job, a prize, or an award) In his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to his wife.
   ▪ a farewell speech (=by someone who is leaving)
   ▪ an after-dinner speech (=after a formal dinner) He gets paid a lot for making after-dinner speeches.
   ▪ a keynote speech (=the most important one at an event) The Prime Minister will make his keynote speech at the conference today.
   ▪ a political speech She began writing political speeches for local politicians.
   ▪ a campaign speech (=given during a political campaign) Eisenhower was careful in his campaign speeches to use only the vaguest of phrases.
■ COMMON ERRORS
    ► Do not say 'do a speech'. Say give a speech or make a speech.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ speech a talk, especially a formal one about a particular subject, given to a group of people: The bridegroom usually makes a speech after the wedding. | In her speech, she proposed major changes to the welfare system. | the opening speech of the conference
   ▪ address formal a speech that a very important person gives to a large group of people: the President's address to the nation | He was surrounded by security officers as he made his address.
   ▪ talk an occasion when someone speaks to a group of people giving them information about a particular subject or about their experiences: I went to an interesting talk on the wildlife of Antarctica. | He's been asked to give a talk about his trip to India.
   ▪ lecture a talk, especially on an academic subject and given to students in a university: a lecture on 17th century French literature | Professor Black is giving the lecture.
   ▪ presentation a talk in which you describe or explain a new product or idea, especially one you give for your company: I had to give a presentation to the board of directors. | He's making a presentation to the management of a well-known manufacturing company.
   ▪ sermon a talk given by a priest or a religious leader: The vicar preached a sermon about the need for forgiveness.
   ▪ statement a spoken or written announcement that someone makes in public, often to journalists: The minister issued a short statement in which he said he had no plans to resign.