Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or art of delivering a formal speech or recitation, especially in a forceful, emotional, or theatrical manner: It refers to the public speaking of a set piece, such as a poem or a memorized speech, with deliberate attention to vocal expression, intonation, and gesture.
   • A speech, piece of writing, or verbal attack characterized by strong, impassioned, or bombastic expression: It can denote the content itself, which is often vehement, rhetorical, and intended for dramatic effect rather than intimate conversation.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The actor's powerful declamation of the soliloquy moved the entire audience.
  • His political speech was less a reasoned argument and more an angry declamation.
  • In the 19th century, the art of declamation was a key part of a student's education in elocution.

Advanced Usage

• "To deliver a declamation": To perform a formal, rhetorical speech.
  • The senator delivered a fiery declamation against the proposed law.
• Used in a critical sense: Can imply overly theatrical, pompous, or insincere oratory.
  • The critic dismissed the leader's address as mere empty declamation, lacking substantive policy.

Variants and Related Words

• Declaim (verb): To speak or recite in a rhetorical, impassioned, or theatrical way.
  • He declaimed his poetry from the stage.
• Declamatory (adjective): Characterized by a rhetorical, bombastic, or theatrical style.
  • She adopted a declamatory tone for her closing argument.

Synonyms

• Oration: A formal speech, especially one given on a ceremonial occasion.
• Harangue: A lengthy and aggressive speech.
• Tirade: A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation.
• Recitation: The act of repeating something aloud from memory.

Related Phrases

• Declamatory style: A manner of speaking or writing that is overly rhetorical and dramatic.
  • The novel's dialogue was criticized for its unnatural, declamatory style.

Related Idioms

• "To mount the soapbox": To launch into a declamatory speech, often about a personal cause. (This idiom is conceptually related to the act of declaiming publicly).
  • Whenever politics is mentioned, he mounts his soapbox and begins a long declamation.

Noun

1. recitation of a speech from memory with studied gestures and intonation as an exercise in elocution or rhetoric
2. vehement oratory