[speech.] Pronunciation: 'spEch Function: noun Etymology: Middle English speche, from Old English spr[AE]c, sp[AE]c; akin to Old English sprecan to speak -- more at SPEAK 1 a : the communication or expression of thoughts in spoken words b : exchange of spoken words : CONVERSATION 2 a : something that is spoken : UTTERANCE b : a usually public discourse : ADDRESS 3 a : LANGUAGE, DIALECT b : an individual manner or style of speaking 4 : the power of expressing or communicating thoughts by speaking