oratory

1
[ awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or- ]
/ ˈɔr əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈɒr- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR oratory ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

skill or eloquence in public speaking: The evangelist moved thousands to repentance with his oratory.
the art of public speaking, especially in a formal and eloquent manner.

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Origin of oratory

1
1580–90; < Latin ōrātōria, noun use of feminine of ōrātōrius of an orator. See orator, -tory1

Words nearby oratory

oration, orator, oratorian, oratorical, oratorio, oratory, oratrix, orb, orb weaver, orbicular, orbicular muscle of eye

Definition for oratory (2 of 2)

oratory2
[ awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or- ]
/ ˈɔr əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈɒr- /

noun, plural or·a·to·ries.

a place of prayer, as a small chapel or a room for private devotions.
(initial capital letter) Roman Catholic Church. any of the religious societies of secular priests who live in religious communities but do not take vows.

Origin of oratory

2
1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin ōrātōrium place of prayer. See orator, -tory2
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to oratory

eloquence, rhetoric, grandiloquence, diction, articulation, declamation, speech, elocution, speaking

Example sentences from the Web for oratory

British Dictionary definitions for oratory (1 of 3)

oratory1
/ (ˈɒrətərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun

the art of public speaking
rhetorical skill or style

Derived forms of oratory

oratorical, adjectiveoratorically, adverb

Word Origin for oratory

C16: from Latin (ars) ōrātōria (the art of) public speaking

British Dictionary definitions for oratory (2 of 3)

oratory2
/ (ˈɒrətərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -ries

a small room or secluded place, set apart for private prayer

Word Origin for oratory

C14: from Anglo-Norman, from Church Latin ōrātōrium place of prayer, from ōrāre to plead, pray

British Dictionary definitions for oratory (3 of 3)

Oratory
/ (ˈɒrətərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun RC Church

Also called: Congregation of the Oratory the religious society of secular priests (Oratorians) living in a community founded by St Philip Neri
any church belonging to this societythe Brompton Oratory
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012