1A short remark, a few words, or a brief comment. Usually read ひとこと. The readings いちげん and いちごん are more literary, appearing mainly in set phrases such as 一言居士 (a person who has to comment on everything) or 一言のもとに (flatly, outright).
会議の最後に一言お願いします。
Please say a few words at the end of the meeting.
彼は一言も答えなかった。
He did not answer even a single word.
ひと言で言えば、それは失敗だった。
In a word, it was a failure.