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

Lethe, the mythological Greek river of forgetfulness, is compared to the potent plant poison, and the speaker implores the reader to refuse both. —Laura Murphy, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025

Audio Pro, the Swedish speaker manufacturer, has updated its A10 MkII adaptable speaker with new colors: grey, light grey and black. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

English speakers on this itinerary should know that French is the primary language on shore at times. —Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025

Adams is the first Black woman to serve as a Council speaker. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for speaker

• beaker
• meeker
• seeker
• sneaker
• weaker
• loudspeaker

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