Wiktionary
n. 1 act of speaking to a group of people in a structured manner 2 oratory (gloss: art of public speaking)
WordNet
n. delivering an address to a public audience; "people came to see the candidates and hear the speechmaking" [syn: speechmaking, speaking, oral presentation]
Wikipedia
Public speaking (sometimes termed oratory or oration) is the process or act of performing a presentation (a speech) focused around an individual direct speech to a live audience in a structured, deliberate manner in order to inform, influence, or entertain them. Public speaking is commonly understood as the formal, face-to-face talking of a single person to a group of listeners. It is closely allied to "presenting", although the latter is more often associated with commercial activity. Most of the time, public speaking is to persuade the audience.
Public Speaking is a 2010 HBO documentary film directed by Martin Scorsese, about the American author Fran Lebowitz, containing interviews and clips from speaking engagements.
The film was nominated for Best Documentary in the Gotham Independent Film Awards 2010. It received favorable reviews, garnering 90% at Rotten Tomatoes and 75% at Metacritic.
Usage examples of "public speaking".
Being the center of attention is right up there with performing and public speaking.
Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking, I declare this laboratory to be well and truly What am I saying?
He found that he did not like public speaking, not under these conditions.
A fear of public speaking might be an example--you aren't going to be physically hurt but your pride and self-esteem may be damaged.
The other was suave, well modulated, one obviously accustomed to much public speaking.
When he read from his clipboard, it was in the sing-song voice of someone who learned his public speaking at school.