oration
Americannoun
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a formal public speech, especially one delivered on a special occasion, as on an anniversary, at a funeral, or at academic exercises.
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a public speech characterized by a studied or elevated style, diction, or delivery.
- Synonyms:
- declamation, discourse
noun
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a formal public declaration or speech
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any rhetorical, lengthy, or pompous speech
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an academic exercise or contest in public speaking
Synonym Usage
See speech.
Etymology
Origin of oration
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English oracion, from Latin ōrātiōn- (stem of ōrātiō ) “speech, prayer,” equivalent to ōrāt(us), (past participle of ōrāre “to plead,” derivative of ōr-, stem of ōs “mouth”) + -iōn- noun suffix; see -ion
Explanation
An oration is a formal speech given in public. You might give the oration at the big party celebrating your grandparents’ 50th anniversary. If you’re giving an oration, make sure you show up prepared. An oration is a speech that’s planned in advance rather than made up on the spot. It usually has a formal tone and is presented at a ceremony of some kind. You probably remember nervously sitting through an oration at your graduation ceremony, or you may have listened to a funeral oration celebrating the life of a famous person.
Vocabulary lists containing oration
Memorial Day Words
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Julius Caesar
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In this important work, Saladin Ambar has produced the first—and most nuanced—book-length treatment of that oration.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 7, 2025
“Avoid emotional oration and loud, impassioned pleas. A well-reasoned and logical presentation without resort to histrionics is easier for listeners to comprehend.”
From Seattle Times • Apr. 13, 2024
Mr. Biden described giving an oration in law school on a case he had not read and lying his way into an exclusive club in Delaware.
From New York Times • Mar. 13, 2024
The movie came freighted with exposition, along with lengthy monologues and much stirring oration.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2024
What he did on those occasions was to turn up his cuffs, stick up his hair, and give us Mark Antony’s oration over the body of Caesar.
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
