Definition & Meaning of "double quotation mark"

What is a "double quotation mark"?

A double quotation mark (“ ”) is a punctuation mark used to enclose direct speech, quotations, or phrases that require emphasis. For example, in the sentence, “She said, ‘I will be there soon,’” the double quotation marks indicate the spoken words of a person. They can also be used to highlight specific terms or titles of shorter works, such as articles or chapters, as in “The Benefits of Reading.” Additionally, double quotation marks are essential in distinguishing a person's exact words from the surrounding text. They help clarify dialogue and are commonly used in both formal and informal writing.