n. The faculty of uttering articulate sounds or words, as in human beings and, by imitation, in some birds; capacity for expressing thoughts by words or articulate sounds; the power of speaking, or of uttering words either in the speaking-or the singing-voice.n. The action or exercise of speaking; expression of thoughts or ideas with the speaking-voice; oral utterance or communication; also, an act or exercise of oral expression or communication; talk; conversation; discourse: as, a person's habit of speech; to be chary of speech; their speech was all about themselves.n. The words and grammatical forms in which thought is expressed; language; a language.n. That which is spoken; thoughts as uttered or written; a saying or remark; especially, a more or less formal address or other utterance; an oration; a harangue: as, a cutting speech in conversation; the speeches in a dialogue or a drama; to deliver a speech; a volume of speeches.n. A speaking or talking of something; uttered opinion, intention, etc.; oral or verbal mention; report.n. An occasion of speaking; course of speaking; oral communication; colloquy; conference; parlance: as, to get speech of or with a person.n. Manner of speaking; form or quality of that which is spoken or of spoken sounds; method of utterance, either habitual or occasional: as, his speech betrays his nationality; rapid speech; thick or harsh speech.n. The utterance or sounding of a musical instrument, especially of a pipe in a pipe-organ.n. In a wheel, the hub with the spokes, but without the fellies and tire.n. Synonyms Speech, Address, Harangue, Oration. Speech is generic, and applies to any form of words uttered; it is the thing spoken, without reference to its quality or the manner of speaking it. An address is a speech viewed as spoken to one or more persons, and is generally of the better sort: as, Paul's speech on Mars' Hill; his address before Felix. A harangue is a noisy speech, usually unstudied and unpolished, addressed to a large audience and in a violent manner. An oration is a formal, impressive, studied, and elaborately polished address: as, Webster was selected to deliver the oration when the corner-stone of the Bunker Hill monument was laid, and again when the monument was completed. See sermon and language.To make a speech; harangue.