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• speaker
  speaker

  noun

  a person who speaks.
• Speaker
  Speaker

  noun

  Tris(tram E.), 1888–1958, U.S. baseball player.

speaker

¹ American  

[spee-ker] / ˈspi kər /

noun

• speakers
  plural

1. a person who speaks.

2. a person who speaks formally before an audience; lecturer; orator.

3. (usually initial capital letter) the presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives, the British House of Commons, or other such legislative assembly.

4. Also called loudspeaker. an electroacoustic device, often housed in a cabinet, that is connected as a component in an audio system, its function being to make speech or music audible.

5. a book of selections for practice in declamation.

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idioms

1. be / not be on speakers, speaking.

Speaker ² American  

[spee-ker] / ˈspi kər /

noun

1. Tris(tram E.), 1888–1958, U.S. baseball player.

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speaker ¹ British  

/ ˈspiːkə /

noun

1. a person who speaks, esp at a formal occasion

2. See loudspeaker

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Speaker ² British  

/ ˈspiːkə /

noun

1. the presiding officer in any of numerous legislative bodies, including the House of Commons in Britain and Canada and the House of Representatives in the US, Australia, and New Zealand

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonspeaker
  noun
• speakership
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• speakers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of speaker

Middle English word dating back to 1275–1325; see origin at speak, -er ¹

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Explanation

A speaker is someone who delivers a speech or a device that makes sounds louder. The speaker gave a great speech but you couldn't hear it because the speaker was turned off. Speaker has a few different meanings, from the person who addresses a group, to the piece of equipment that amplifies sound to someone who is fluent in a particular language. For example, a native Spanish speaker can usually tell if someone learned the language in high school because textbooks don't always include the slang and idioms of everyday speech.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

speaker Speaker speakers

Students cheered as they stacked rubbish bins against the entrance to a school outside Paris, while a speaker thumped out French rap to young people, teachers and parents mingling in the early morning drizzle.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

After reading the weird A.I. translation, a Bengali speaker said it would make them question whether they could trust the clinic—or the doctor who handed it to them—at all.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

At Thatcham Research's headquarters, we are shown a device hidden within a wireless speaker that can start a car by tapping into its internal communication system.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

“We’re offering an evidence-based approximation, not a number to plan an estate around,” said Stewart, who’s 67 but could easily pass for early 50s, and has the poise of a motivational speaker.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

The tiny box has silver antenna rods, and its curved screen is framed by a wood-grain border, with two chrome dials and a teeny-tiny built-in speaker.

From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day

Former California state Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg has been pounding the pavement, trying to encourage voters to support Proposition 37 on ballots statewide.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026

In early August, Ellison tapped former California Assembly Speaker and Democratic power broker Fabian Núñez to help build political support for the deal in Sacramento.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas’ office didn’t reply to a request for comment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

After a prime minister resigns, the Speaker of the Riksdag holds talks with all parties to proposes a candidate for the next leader, which is then voted on by MPs.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

At about five that afternoon, Truman stepped into the office of the Speaker of the House for a scheduled meeting.

From "Bomb" by Steve Sheinkin

Tens of thousands inside Etihad Stadium booed and jeered when the Premier League anthem was played over the speakers shortly before kick-off, then they started chanting 'City, City, City'.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

Apple announced its new $299 HomeView smart home hub alongside updated HomePod speakers and new smart home gadgetry developed with LG Electronics.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Apple has struggled for years to gain ground in the smart home, where its HomePod speakers have trailed Amazon’s Alexa and Google devices.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

Nor is there anything inherently noble about making employees spend eight hours deciphering orders shouted through crackling speakers while the ice-cream machine is down and a small diplomatic crisis is unfolding in the PlayPlace.

From Salon ● Oct. 11, 2026

When she spoke again, her voice was too low, crackling in the speakers.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

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