talk show

noun

: a radio or television program in which usually well-known persons engage in discussions or are interviewed

Examples of talk show in a Sentence

She asked the actor to appear on her talk show.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On Saturday, the singer and talk show host took to X to share details of her recent experience at Art of Play, a store known for its collection of toys, games, books, puzzles and other unique items. — Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026 The host played an alcoholic cop hosting a talk show, harassing his guests and violating their civil liberties along with his partner, Mikey Day. — Charu Sinha, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2026 The network’s marquee talk show talent will be doing a version of Field Pass with the Pat McAfee Show during next year’s Super Bowl LXI. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026 And in the mid-1990s, talk show host Phil Donahue, who opposed the death penalty, tried to get approval to show an execution videotape on live TV. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for talk show

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of talk show was in 1941

Rhymes for talk show

See All Rhymes for talk show

Browse Nearby Words

talk shop
talk show
talk someone's ear off
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Talk show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talk%20show. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

talk show

noun
: a radio or television program in which persons engage in discussions or are interviewed

More from Merriam-Webster on talk show

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about talk show

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All