allocution

American  

[al-uh-kyoo-shuhn] / ˌæl əˈkyu ʃən /

noun

1. a formal speech, especially one of an incontrovertible or hortatory nature.

2. a pronouncement delivered by the pope to a secret consistory, especially on a matter of policy or of general importance.

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allocution British  

/ ˌæləˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. rhetoric a formal or authoritative speech or address, esp one that advises, informs, or exhorts

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Etymology

Origin of allocution

1605–15; < Latin allocūtiōn- (stem of allocūtiō ), equivalent to allocūt ( us ), past participle of alloquī to speak to, address ( al- al- + locū- speak + -tus past participle suffix) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Durst declined to give an allocution for the crime.

From Fox News • Oct. 14, 2021

But at his Friday sentencing hearing for Floyd’s murder, Chauvin’s allocution lasted just 36 seconds.

From Washington Post • Jun. 26, 2021

Hayden gave two allocution statements during the trial—one for the initial charges and one for the contempt charges Hoffman brought—and used both to give speeches, but didn’t speak about the war dead.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2020

He offered a law professor’s allocution on the subject of foreign-born citizens’ eligibility for the American presidency.

From New York Times • Jan. 15, 2016

The young lady so addressed—a slight fair girl holding a large parcel of umbrellas—stood at hand while this allocution went forward, but apparently gave no heed to it. 

From Lady Barbarina The Siege of London, An International Episode and Other Tales by James, Henry