speech act

American  

noun

Philosophy, Linguistics.

1. any of the acts that may be performed by a speaker in making an utterance, as stating, asking, requesting, advising, warning, or persuading, considered in terms of the content of the message, the intention of the speaker, and the effect on the listener.

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speech act British  

noun

1. an utterance that constitutes some act in addition to the mere act of uttering

2. an act or type of act capable of being so performed

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Example Sentences

That question is, obviously, the most important second question to ask whenever interpreting any speech act by anyone.

From Seattle Times

The figures in the play become known through their speech acts.

From Los Angeles Times

Incitement is an inchoate crime, which means that the speech act is the crime itself and no bad consequences need ensue.

From Washington Post

“The point of defending free speech is not that you expect to be perfectly aligned with every speech act that is protected,” he said.

From Washington Post

Music has long underpinned Nigerian oral histories, worship songs, state ceremonies and other speech acts.

From New York Times