elocution
noun
el·o·cu·tion ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shən 
1
: a style of speaking especially in public
2
: the art of effective public speaking
elocutionary
ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shə-ˌner-ē
adjective elocutionist
ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-sh(ə-)nist
noun 
Synonyms
- oratory
- public speaking
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He took lessons in elocution. the oft-told story that he practiced elocution by learning to speak with a mouth full of pebbles
Recent Examples on the Web The Westeros public gave her the name the Realm's Delight — but instead of busying her days with needlework and elocution classes, Rhaenyra serves as her father's cupbearer and rides dragons. 
Nick Romano, EW.com, 13 July 2022 Following her family’s move to a somewhat more upscale area, she is sent for elocution lessons as part of the transition. Clea Simon, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022 Swallowing her consternation, Anna persists with giving the boy twice-weekly elocution lessons at her apartment, without ever addressing their past encounter. Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2022 Sent by his mother to elocution classes, he was introduced to the plays of John Osborne, Harold Pinter and Arnold Wesker. New York Times, 5 Dec. 2021 An audition for a major Hollywood director turned sour when management made her attend elocution lessons beforehand. Jasmine Andersson, refinery29.com, 21 Aug. 2021 Mason’s agents begged him to get speech and elocution lessons to help mitigate his thick Yiddish accent. Wayne Federman, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2021 His theater-loving mother insisted on elocution lessons to rid him of his Brooklyn accent. Washington Post, 11 May 2021 Born in Jersey City, N.J., on Nov. 8, 1914, and raised in Brooklyn, the red-haired Lloyd began taking elocution lessons by age 7. Dennis Mclellan, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2021 See More
Nick Romano, EW.com, 13 July 2022 Following her family’s move to a somewhat more upscale area, she is sent for elocution lessons as part of the transition. Clea Simon, BostonGlobe.com, 23 June 2022 Swallowing her consternation, Anna persists with giving the boy twice-weekly elocution lessons at her apartment, without ever addressing their past encounter. Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2022 Sent by his mother to elocution classes, he was introduced to the plays of John Osborne, Harold Pinter and Arnold Wesker. New York Times, 5 Dec. 2021 An audition for a major Hollywood director turned sour when management made her attend elocution lessons beforehand. Jasmine Andersson, refinery29.com, 21 Aug. 2021 Mason’s agents begged him to get speech and elocution lessons to help mitigate his thick Yiddish accent. Wayne Federman, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2021 His theater-loving mother insisted on elocution lessons to rid him of his Brooklyn accent. Washington Post, 11 May 2021 Born in Jersey City, N.J., on Nov. 8, 1914, and raised in Brooklyn, the red-haired Lloyd began taking elocution lessons by age 7. Dennis Mclellan, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English ellocucioun "oratorical or literary style," borrowed from Latin ēlocūtiōn-, ēlocūtiō "expression of an idea in words, manner of expressing oneself," from ēlocū-, variant stem of ēloquī "to utter, put into words" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at eloquent
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
elocution
noun
el·o·cu·tion ˌe-lə-ˈkyü-shən
: the art of reading or speaking clearly and effectively in public
elocution
noun
as in oratory
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively the oft-told story that he practiced elocution by learning to speak with a mouth full of pebbles Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- oratory
- speech
- rhetoric
- eloquence
- public speaking
- discourse
- grandiloquence
- bombast
- talk