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.
Some Union soldiers attended the event, and two Union officers delivered orations, each focusing on the topic of reconciliation between the honorable foes. Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025 Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images Sen. Cory Booker's impassioned oration against the policies of President Trump's administration — with the help of multiple fellow Democrats — didn't just break the record for the longest Senate floor speech in history. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 Apr. 2025 Booker’s speech was a wide-ranging protest One unusual element of Booker’s oration is that it was not focused on just one narrow issue. Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025 Some Union soldiers attended the event, and two Union officers delivered orations, each focusing on the topic of reconciliation between the honorable foes. Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Oration.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oration. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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