yield the floor — To give up one's turn to speak, allowing another person to talk, especially in a formal meeting, debate, or legislative session
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: To give up one's turn to speak, allowing another person to talk, especially in a formal meeting, debate, or legislative session
Pronunciation (IPA): /jiːld ðə flɔːr/
Example Sentences
- After speaking for twenty minutes straight, the professor finally yielded the floor, and the whole class sighed in relief.
- The chairperson asked the speaker to yield the floor so that questions could be taken.
- My little brother refused to yield the floor during family dinner debates, even when everyone was clearly tired of his opinions.
yield the floor
VERB[/jiːld ðə flɔːr/]
To give up one's turn to speak, allowing another person to talk, especially in a formal meeting, debate, or legislative session
The senator decided to yield the floor so his colleague could speak next.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'geldan' (to give up, pay) combined with 'floor' referring to the speaking area in parliamentary settings, where standing 'on the floor' meant having the right to speak.
Breakdown
yield (to give up/surrender) + floor (the right to speak in a formal setting)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After speaking for twenty minutes straight, the professor finally yielded the floor, and the whole class sighed in relief.”
“The chairperson asked the speaker to yield the floor so that questions could be taken.”
“My little brother refused to yield the floor during family dinner debates, even when everyone was clearly tired of his opinions.”
“In parliamentary procedure, a member must formally yield the floor before another can speak.”
📚Related Words
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