synthetic speech

[ sin-thet-ik speech ]

noun

, Digital Technology.

1. computer-generated audio output that resembles human speech, such as the audio generated by screen readers and other text-to-speech software, by virtual assistants and GPS apps, and by assistive technologies that create synthetic speech to vocalize for people with certain disabilities or serious speech impairment.

synthetic speech

1. Speech that is produced by an electronic synthesizer activated by a keyboard. People who are incapable of speech can communicate by means of synthetic speech.

Word History and Origins

Origin of synthetic speech¹

First recorded in 1915–20 (for speech not generated by the vocal cords, as historically by a bellows-operated machine)