elocution

American  

[el-uh-kyoo-shuhn] / ˌɛl əˈkyu ʃən /

noun

1. a person's manner of speaking or reading aloud in public.

   The actor's elocution is faultless.

2. the study and practice of oral delivery, including the control of both voice and gesture.

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elocution British  

/ ˌɛləˈkjuːʃən /

noun

1. the art of public speaking, esp of voice production, delivery, and gesture

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Other Word Forms

• elocutionary adjective
• elocutionist noun

Etymology

Origin of elocution

1500–10; < Latin ēlocūtiōn- (stem of ēlocūtiō ) a speaking out, equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + locūtiōn- locution

Example Sentences

As for time machines, perhaps you too have longed to live among the ancient Romans, practicing elocution like Demosthenes with your mouth comically full of pebbles.

From Literature

When he did, he held the floor with effortless elocution.

From Los Angeles Times

Where many performers in his position would have tales about elocution training and other pre-production research to share, Galitzine had about two weeks over the holidays to prepare to play his.

From Salon

So they sent me to elocution, which was boring, but eventually it was speech and drama classes.

From New York Times

A recent makeup tutorial video posted by Victoria Beckham revived longstanding speculation that the Beckhams are changing their accents and even having elocution lessons.

From Salon