演讲，又名演说，是指对公众发表的说话。

根据个人风格，不少讲者喜欢原稿照读（英语：manuscript speech）；另外有些喜欢即兴发挥 （粤语俗称「爆肚」，英语：impromptu speech）；甚至有些不依讲稿演讲，与现场观众双向沟通，互相回应，打成一片，例如比尔·克林顿、巴拉克·奥巴马等。

全世界各国不少政治家演讲有时会有智囊团写手安排讲稿，政治圈常见，此举是为了避免不擅辞令的讲者于演讲期间出错造成误会甚至政治风波，但可能使演说生硬，或一旦演讲稿内容出问题，会使演讲者十分尴尬。

Public speaking (sometimes termed oratory or oration) is the process or act of performing a presentation (a speech) focused around an individual directly speaking 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.