oath

[ ohth ]

noun

, plural oaths [oh, th, z, ohths].

1. a solemn appeal to a deity, or to some revered person or thing, to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc.:

   to testify upon oath.

2. a statement or promise strengthened by such an appeal.

   Synonyms: pledge, vow

3. a formally affirmed statement or promise accepted as an equivalent of an appeal to a deity or to a revered person or thing; affirmation.
4. the form of words in which such a statement or promise is made.
5. an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or anything sacred.

   Synonyms: profanity

6. any profane expression; curse; swear word:

   He slammed the door with a muttered oath.

oath

/ əʊθ /

noun

1. a solemn pronouncement to affirm the truth of a statement or to pledge a person to some course of action, often involving a sacred being or object as witness juratory
2. the form of such a pronouncement
3. an irreverent or blasphemous expression, esp one involving the name of a deity; curse
4. on oath or upon oath or under oath
   1. under the obligation of an oath
   2. law having sworn to tell the truth, usually with one's hand on the Bible
5. take an oath
   to declare formally with an oath or pledge, esp before giving evidence

Word History and Origins

Origin of oath¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English oth, Old English āth; cognate with Gothic aiths, Old Norse eidhr, German Eid

Word History and Origins

Origin of oath¹

Old English āth; related to Old Saxon, Old Frisian ēth, Old High German eid

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take an oath, to swear solemnly; vow.

Example Sentences

But every senior military officer also takes an oath to defend the Constitution, and pledges to refuse illegal, unconstitutional or criminal directives.

From Los Angeles Times

In a retirement speech in September 2023, Milley — who worries about being recalled to active duty and court-martialed under a new Trump administration, according to Woodward’s latest book, “War” — offered an indirect commentary widely presumed to refer to the former president: “We don’t take an oath to a king or a queen, to a tyrant or dictator, or wannabe dictator.”

From Los Angeles Times

But Colomey has Grasso and others willing to testify under oath to support his claims.

From Los Angeles Times

“You take an oath to defend the Constitution, and it is well understood that you pursue cases based on the facts and the law, not for partisan or political reasons.”

From Los Angeles Times

He said Justice Department lawyers will face a test of their oath.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affidavit
• deposition
• pledge
• testimony
• vow