What does "declamation" mean?
The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; loud speaking in public.
Declamation
/ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; loud speaking in public.
- Grammar: declamation is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: address, allocution, bombast, chalk talk.
- Useful contrasts: dullness, impromptu speech, improvisation.
- Usage evidence: His recitations were prompt and correct, and his answers were given with confidence. But perhaps he did himself most credit in declamation. He had always been very fond of that, and though he had never received and scientific instruction in it, he possessed a natural grace and a deep feeling of earnestness which made success easy. He had selected an extract from Webster--the reply to the Hayne--and this was the showpiece of the afternoon. The rest of the declamation was crude enough, but Harry's impressed even the most ignorant of his listeners as superior for a boy of his age.
How to use "declamation"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "declamation" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "declamation" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "declamation" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "declamation" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "address" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; loud speaking in public. countable, uncountable
- 2 vehement oratory wordnet
- 3 The act or art of declaiming; rhetorical delivery; loud speaking in public.; The public recitation of speeches as an exercise in schools and colleges. countable, uncountable
"His recitations were prompt and correct, and his answers were given with confidence. But perhaps he did himself most credit in declamation. He had always been very fond of that, and though he had never received and scientific instruction in it, he possessed a natural grace and a deep feeling of earnestness which made success easy. He had selected an extract from Webster--the reply to the Hayne--and this was the showpiece of the afternoon. The rest of the declamation was crude enough, but Harry's impressed even the most ignorant of his listeners as superior for a boy of his age."
- 4 recitation of a speech from memory with studied gestures and intonation as an exercise in elocution or rhetoric wordnet
- 5 A set or harangue; declamatory discourse. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 Pretentious rhetorical display, with more sound than sense. countable, uncountable
"mere declamation"
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"His recitations were prompt and correct, and his answers were given with confidence. But perhaps he did himself most credit in declamation. He had always been very fond of that, and though he had never received and scientific instruction in it, he possessed a natural grace and a deep feeling of earnestness which made success easy. He had selected an extract from Webster--the reply to the Hayne--and this was the showpiece of the afternoon. The rest of the declamation was crude enough, but Harry's impressed even the most ignorant of his listeners as superior for a boy of his age."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "declamation"?
Common synonyms include: address, allocution, bombast, chalk talk, debate, declaiming.
How do you use "declamation" in a sentence?
His recitations were prompt and correct, and his answers were given with confidence. But perhaps he did himself most credit in declamation. He had always been very fond of that, and though he had never received and scientific instruction in it, he possessed a natural grace and a deep feeling of earnestness which made success easy. He had selected an extract from Webster--the reply to the Hayne--and this was the showpiece of the afternoon. The rest of the declamation was crude enough, but Harry's impressed even the most ignorant of his listeners as superior for a boy of his age.
How do you pronounce "declamation"?
Pronounced /ˌdɛkləˈmeɪʃən/.
Etymology
From French déclamation, from Latin dēclāmātiō, dēclāmātiōnem, from dēclāmō, dēclāmāre; see declaim.