oratory

¹

[ awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or- ]

noun

1. skill or eloquence in public speaking:

   The evangelist moved thousands to repentance with his oratory.

   Synonyms: declamation, delivery, rhetoric

2. the art of public speaking, especially in a formal and eloquent manner.

oratory

²

[ awr-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, or- ]

noun

, plural or·a·to·ries.

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

Oratory

¹

/ -trɪ; ˈɒrətərɪ /

noun

1. Also calledCongregation of the Oratory the religious society of secular priests ( Oratorians ) living in a community founded by St Philip Neri
2. any church belonging to this society

   the Brompton Oratory

oratory

²

/ -trɪ; ˈɒrətərɪ /

noun

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

oratory

³

/ ˈɒrətərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. the art of public speaking
2. rhetorical skill or style

Derived Forms

• ˌoraˈtorical, adjective
• ˌoraˈtorically, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of oratory¹

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

Origin of oratory²

1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin ōrātōrium place of prayer. See orator, -tory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of oratory¹

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

Origin of oratory²

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

Example Sentences

He uses pugnacious, sometimes trollish oratory to present himself as Trump’s avatar on the bench, an unapologetic brawler who fights for ordinary people against woke liberals and condescending elites.

From Slate

Here again, as with so many of his rallies, Trump’s oratory pulses with the promise of blood.

From Salon

Many of the coders, digital marketers, and Big Tech employees in attendance later shared their thoughts on this declaration of war, with one observer who is also “not a fan of” WP Engine still calling the oratory “irresponsible, unkind, and malicious at worst.”

From Slate

Obama made his name with soaring oratory about a collective opportunity to fulfill America’s promise and a memoir that was deeply introspective about his role in that fight.

From Los Angeles Times

She is widely regarded as a pragmatist who lacks the charisma, oratory skills and pugnacious nature of the outgoing populist president.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• eloquence
• rhetoric