public speaking

noun

1. the act of delivering speeches in public.
2. the art or skill of addressing an audience effectively.

public speaking

noun

1. the art or practice of making speeches to large audiences

Derived Forms

• public speaker, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of public speaking¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

I am also starting to do a lot of public speaking, which is terrifying to me in some ways.

From Eater

So, my weakness at the time was I was terrified of public speaking.

From Freakonomics

In response, Osaka withdrew Monday, citing via social media her mental health, bouts with depression and anxiety brought on by public speaking.

From Washington Post

Many people like public speaking or do it to improve their presentation skills.

From Search Engine Land

They had to take public speaking courses and become media ready.

From MIT Technology Review

Zamora encouraged Winick to take on public speaking on HIV and AIDS.

From The Daily Beast

One of my next projects is to create an online course in public speaking for introverts.

From The Daily Beast

Lebowitz, however, is not afraid of public speaking, which is how she earns her living these days.

From The Daily Beast

So Public Speaking is a film about a writer who no longer writes, or at least doesn't write as much as she should.

From The Daily Beast

Public Speaking, which debuts November 22 on HBO, is more like a beautifully shot and edited monologue.

From The Daily Beast

I have elsewhere spoken of the indifferent figure made by most Englishmen at public speaking.

From Project Gutenberg

My throat has been disordered for the past three years, and I have been compelled to almost abandon public speaking.

From Project Gutenberg

A drift of thought—an elevation of style, is observable in their public speaking which is dropt in private conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

The consensus of classical opinion, then, agrees that the purpose of rhetoric is persuasive public speaking.

From Project Gutenberg

The sound will, however, carry further if you open the passage again; and in public speaking it is therefore to be recommended.

From Project Gutenberg