utterance
n. countable C1 Advanced US //ˈətɝəns// UK //ˈʌtəɹəns// ut·ter·ance
n. a single act of speaking, such as a word, a sentence, or a sound. It can also mean something that is said or written.
n. an instance of speech or writing; a single act of vocalising. In linguistics, it refers to a stretch of speech that is treated as a single unit for analysis.
The child's first utterance was 'mama'.
The linguist recorded every utterance of the local dialect to study how the language was changing over time.
While the speaker intended to convey a simple apology, the specific choice of words in that utterance led to a significant misunderstanding between the two parties.
From Middle English utteraunce, outeraunce; equivalent to utter + -ance.
From Middle English outraunce, utteraunce, from Old French outrance (see outrance).