oration
[aw-rey-shuh n, oh-rey-]
- a formal public speech, especially one delivered on a special occasion, as on an anniversary, at a funeral, or at academic exercises.
- a public speech characterized by a studied or elevated style, diction, or delivery.
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Origin of oration
1325–75; Middle English oracion < 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- -ion
Synonyms
See more synonyms for oration on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for oration
Contemporary Examples
Being young and oh-so-clever, I thought it would be witty to close my oration with a quote that depended on the f-word.
Historical Examples
His oration was lengthy and his eulogy spoken with evident emotion.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Four years since, he delivered the oration on the occasion of its semi-centennial.
There is no measure or end of my praises, and yet 'tis fit my oration have an end.
The Praise of FollyDesiderius Erasmus
In ten minutes the old Indian was delivering an oration to us, squatted in resignation.
The ForestStewart Edward White
From an oration on "Columbus and the Exposition," delivered in Chicago in 1890.
oration
- a formal public declaration or speech
- any rhetorical, lengthy, or pompous speech
- an academic exercise or contest in public speaking
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin ōrātiō speech, harangue, from ōrāre to plead, pray
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for oration
n.
late 14c., "prayer," from Late Latin orationem (nominative oratio) "a speaking, speech, discourse; language, faculty of speech, mode of expressing; prayer," noun of action from past participle stem of Latin orare "to pray, plead, speak before an assembly" (see orator). Meaning "formal speech, discourse" first recorded c.1500.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper