maiden speech
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of maiden speech
First recorded in 1785–95
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.
In her maiden speech in the House of Commons in October 2024, Fleet said it was her "duty" to speak up for women in her Derbyshire constituency "whose stories are not being told".
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
Ms. Sherrill used her maiden speech to lay out her plans to ease electric rates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 27, 2026
Spencer made his maiden speech in July during a debate on the MPs' code of conduct relating to second jobs.
From BBC ● May 13, 2025
In her maiden speech in the House of Commons in 2010, she vowed to fight for "jobs, growth and prosperity" - likely centrepieces of Labour's first Budget in nearly 15 years, on 30 October.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2024
When Parliament met in 1859, an amendment was moved to the Address in a maiden speech from Lord Hartington, which was carried after a three nights’ debate, Mr. Gladstone voting with the Government.
From The Real Gladstone an Anecdotal Biography by J. Ewing (James Ewing) Ritchie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
