oration

noun

ora·​tion ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce oration (audio)
ȯ-
: an elaborate discourse (see discourse entry 1 sense 2) delivered in a formal and dignified manner
She delivered an oration on the value of art in our society.
a commencement oration
a funeral oration

Examples of oration in a Sentence

She made an oration on the value of art in society. the celebrated orations of Daniel Webster in unwavering support of the federal union
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 last night’s CNN’s New Years Eve Live with Cohen and Anderson Cooper, Fiennes dropped by to plug his acclaimed new film Conclave, but, per an agreement with Cohen, provided a bit of oration by reciting the viral TikTok advice from beauty influencer Jools Lebron. Greg Evans, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2025 The rest needed little exaggeration: the property had a massive stone that George Washington once gave spirited orations from; clusters of money were said to be buried in the backwoods. Nicolette Polek, Harper's Magazine, 2 July 2024 In the late 19th century, before the invention of cinema and radio, every piece of music, performance, oration—even a natural view like a rainbow—was a unique event. Todd Eckert, WIRED, 8 Dec. 2024 The governor is frequently seen on TV posturing before the camera and repetitively shaking his arms and hands at the audience as if to emphasize the magnitude of his oration. Fred Medinger, Baltimore Sun, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oration 

Word History

Etymology

Latin oration-, oratio speech, oration, from orare to plead, speak, pray; akin to Hittite ariya- to consult an oracle and perhaps to Greek ara prayer

First Known Use

circa 1504, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oration was circa 1504

Dictionary Entries Near oration

Cite this Entry

“Oration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oration. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

oration

noun
ora·​tion ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce oration (audio)
ȯ-
: an important speech given on some special occasion
Etymology

from Latin oration-, oratio "speech," from oratus, past participle of orare "to speak, pray" — related to adore, oracle

More from Merriam-Webster on oration

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