Speech is the act of speaking words aloud, using your voice to communicate thoughts and ideas. When you give a speech in class about your favorite book or a historical figure, you're standing up and talking to an audience. Speech is how humans share information, tell stories, ask questions, and connect with each other through spoken language.

The word can also mean a formal talk given to an audience. A principal might deliver a speech at graduation, or a scientist might give a speech explaining her discoveries. The President of the United States gives an annual State of the Union speech to Congress. Martin Luther King Jr.'s “I Have a Dream” speech helped change America by expressing his vision for civil rights with powerful words that millions of people heard and remembered.

Speech is different from writing because it happens in real time and uses your voice, tone, and sometimes gestures to convey meaning. When you're excited, your speech speeds up. When you're nervous, you might stumble over your words.

The word also refers to the human ability to speak at all. A speech therapist helps people who have trouble pronouncing words or expressing themselves verbally. Freedom of speech is a constitutional right that protects Americans' ability to express their opinions openly, even when others disagree.