elocution

noun

el·​o·​cu·​tion ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: a style of speaking especially in public

2

: the art of effective public speaking

elocutionary

ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

elocutionist

ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms

• oratory
• public speaking

Examples of elocution in a Sentence

He took lessons in elocution.

the oft-told story that he practiced elocution by learning to speak with a mouth full of pebbles

Recent Examples on the Web

At first, she was struck by Roosevelt's more recognizable voice, bearing the extreme elocution of a transatlantic accent. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 June 2024

Elizabeth—with her precise elocution, her terrifying and obvious sincerity—sounded like a woman on the brink of a great cosmic battle. —Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

Rosetta was unusually anxious about public speaking, so she was given elocution lessons. —Anita Gates, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2023

Would elocution stand a chance if it were formally reintroduced into the school curriculum today? —Robert Klose, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ellocucioun "oratorical or literary style," borrowed from Latin ēlocūtiōn-, ēlocūtiō "expression of an idea in words, manner of expressing oneself," from ēlocū-, variant stem of ēloquī "to utter, put into words" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at eloquent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

elocution

noun

el·​o·​cu·​tion ˌel-ə-ˈkyü-shən 

1

: a style of speaking especially in public

2

: the art of effective public speaking

elocutionary

-shə-ˌner-ē 

adjective

elocutionist

-sh(ə-)nəst 

noun