Crossword Genius

Carol hosting summit — at the lectern? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

speaking

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'the lectern?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how they can define each other.

'carol hosting summit' is the wordplay.
'carol' becomes 'sing' (carol can mean to sing carols).
'hosting' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters are welcomed in or hosted).
'summit' becomes 'peak' (mountain peak).
'sing' enclosing 'peak' is 'SPEAKING'.

'at' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for speaking that I've seen before include "Conversing" , "Uttering" , "a way of passing the word" , "Saying something" , "oratory" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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