King's speech

American

noun

(in the British Parliament) a speech reviewing domestic conditions and foreign relations, prepared by the ministry in the name of the sovereign, and read at the opening of the Parliament either by the sovereign in person or by commission.

King's speech British

noun

(in Britain and the Commonwealth when the sovereign is male) another name for speech from the throne

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Clarence Jones had the presence of mind to protect Martin Luther King’s speech.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

The record companies argued that King’s speech lost copyright protection because of its public delivery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

The report also showed that 10 out of 10 of Christmas Day top shows were from the BBC - but that includes King's speech which is also broadcast on other channels.

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

Ross and Barnes had no idea if they’d be allowed to include King’s speech.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2025

After Dr. King’s speech was over, Reverend Bevel talked about love and nonviolence.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023