The speaker in any situation is the person who is talking or giving a speech. In a classroom debate, each speaker stands up to present their argument. At a school assembly, the principal might be the main speaker, addressing all the students at once.

The word also refers to the electronic device that produces sound, like the speakers on your computer, phone, or in a car. When you play music or watch a video, electrical signals travel to the speaker, which vibrates to create the sounds you hear. Some speakers are tiny, like earbuds, while concert speakers can be taller than a person.

In government, the Speaker (with a capital S) is an important leadership position. The Speaker of the House of Representatives runs meetings in Congress and helps decide which bills get discussed and voted on. It's one of the most powerful jobs in the United States government.