declamation

UK: /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/ US: /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/ ,(dek′lə mā′shən)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dec•la•ma•tion  (dek′lə mā′shən), n. 

1. Rhetoric the act or art of declaiming.
2. Rhetoric exercise in oratory or elocution, as in the recitation of a classic speech.
3. Rhetoric speech or writing for oratorical effect.
4. Music and Dance the proper enunciation of the words, as in recitative.

• Latin dēclāmātiōn- (stem of dēclāmātiō), equivalent. to dēclāmāt(us) (past participle of dēclāmāre to declaim; see -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion
• 1350–1400

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

declamation / ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/ noun

1. a rhetorical or emotional speech, made esp in order to protest or condemn; tirade
2. a speech, verse, etc, that is or can be spoken
3. the act or art of declaiming

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•claim /dɪˈkleɪm/   v. 

1. Rhetoric to speak aloud while, or as if, making a formal speech: [no object]
   Marc Antony declaimed over the body of Caesar.
   [ ~ + obj ]:
   He declaimed a speech.

de•claim•er, n. [countable]
dec•la•ma•tion /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/  n. 

[uncountable] much declamation.

[countable] a very lengthy declamation.

de•clam•a•to•ry /dɪˈklæməˌtɔri, -ˌtoʊri/  adj.: 

a declamatory way of speaking.

See -claim-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•claim  (di klām′), v.i. 

1. Rhetoric to speak aloud in an oratorical manner;
   make a formal speech:
   Brutus declaimed from the steps of the Roman senate building.
2. Rhetoric to inveigh (usually fol. by against):
   He declaimed against the high rents in slums.
3. Rhetoric to speak or write for oratorical effect, as without sincerity or sound argument.

v.t. 

4. Rhetoric to utter aloud in an oratorical manner:
   to declaim a speech.

• Latin dēclāmāre, equivalent. to dē- de- + clāmāre to cry, shout; see claim
• Middle English declamen 1350–1400

de•claim′er, n.