oration

[ aw-rey-shuhn, oh-rey- ]

noun

1. a formal public speech, especially one delivered on a special occasion, as on an anniversary, at a funeral, or at academic exercises.
2. a public speech characterized by a studied or elevated style, diction, or delivery.

   Synonyms: declamation, discourse

oration

/ ɔːˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. a formal public declaration or speech
2. any rhetorical, lengthy, or pompous speech
3. an academic exercise or contest in public speaking

Word History and Origins

Origin of oration¹

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; -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of oration¹

C14: from Latin ōrātiō speech, harangue, from ōrāre to plead, pray

Synonym Study

See speech.

Example Sentences

“If Joe Biden had been up there giving that speech, many white coats would have interrupted him and carted him off and put him in a padded wagon,” host Ana Navarro said of the long-winded oration.

From Salon

“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

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

The movie came freighted with exposition, along with lengthy monologues and much stirring oration.

From Los Angeles Times

His skilled biblical oration, steeped in the Black Pentecostal tradition and melded with white evangelicalism, helped swell the membership of the storefront church he started in 1981 in Jenks, Oklahoma, to a full-service, multiracial congregation of more than 5,000.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• harangue
• homily
• sermon
• spiel