1
a
: uttered by the mouth or in words : spoken
oral traditions
b
: using speech or the lips especially in teaching the deaf
2
a
: of, given through, or involving the mouth
oral health
an oral vaccine
b
: being on or relating to the same surface as the mouth
3
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the first stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory during which libidinal gratification is derived from intake (as of food), by sucking, and later by biting
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependency and aggressiveness
: an oral examination
—usually used in plural
Synonyms
Examples of oral in a Sentence
Adjective
She practices good oral hygiene by brushing her teeth at least twice a day.
As part of her oral examination, she had to recite the names of all the presidents.
Recent Examples on the Web
USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
On Monday, the high court heard oral arguments for an appeal challenging the rulings.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
On April 22, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson.
—Stephen Eide, National Review, 21 Apr. 2024
Savannah Chrisley spoke out ahead of her parents Todd and Julie Chrisley's upcoming oral arguments hearing.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Jimmy Jenkins The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an Arizona death penalty case on Wednesday that could redefine the precedent for establishing ineffective assistance of counsel claims.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
That sorry episode was revisited, repeatedly and somewhat incongruously, before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, in oral arguments for Joseph W. Fischer v. United States.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The feds offer one glimmer of hope: The U.S. Supreme Court permits audio of oral arguments to be broadcast outside of the courtroom.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
Thomas absent: Conservative Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas was not present at the court for oral arguments yesterday, with the court giving no reason for his absence.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 27 Feb. 2023
However, it can also be transmitted via oral-to-genital contact.
—Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2021
Both in Britain and the United States, cabotegravir and rilpivirine can be prescribed and used after an initial oral (tablet) lead-in period.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2021
The Ohio Supreme Court’s certification exam has two parts, one written and one oral.
—Cameron Fields, cleveland, 29 Sep. 2021
Due to its remoteness, Svan culture evolved over the centuries in isolation from the rest of Georgian lands, developing a unique oral-only language and traditions such as ritual beard cutting and blood feuds.
—Melissa Findley, National Geographic, 20 Nov. 2020
Astrid agrees, setting a few ground rules: no eye contact, no kissing after oral.
—Shannon Carlin, refinery29.com, 24 June 2020
Adjective
In a labor battle that began when the Starbucks mega chain fired seven employees at a Memphis coffee shop in 2022, the company seemed to have the upper hand during oral arguments before a conservative supermajority at the Supreme Court.
—USA TODAY, 23 Apr. 2024
On Monday, the high court heard oral arguments for an appeal challenging the rulings.
—Ethan Varian, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024
On April 22, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Grants Pass v. Johnson.
—Stephen Eide, National Review, 21 Apr. 2024
Savannah Chrisley spoke out ahead of her parents Todd and Julie Chrisley's upcoming oral arguments hearing.
—Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024
Jimmy Jenkins The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an Arizona death penalty case on Wednesday that could redefine the precedent for establishing ineffective assistance of counsel claims.
—The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024
That sorry episode was revisited, repeatedly and somewhat incongruously, before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, in oral arguments for Joseph W. Fischer v. United States.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2024
The feds offer one glimmer of hope: The U.S. Supreme Court permits audio of oral arguments to be broadcast outside of the courtroom.
—David Bauder, Quartz, 16 Apr. 2024
Thomas absent: Conservative Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas was not present at the court for oral arguments yesterday, with the court giving no reason for his absence.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Noun
Still, the most effective therapies for female pattern hair loss include minoxidil (usually topical, but low-dose oral is increasingly used), spironolactone, and finasteride.
—Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 27 Feb. 2023
However, it can also be transmitted via oral-to-genital contact.
—Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2021
Both in Britain and the United States, cabotegravir and rilpivirine can be prescribed and used after an initial oral (tablet) lead-in period.
—Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 20 Nov. 2021
The Ohio Supreme Court’s certification exam has two parts, one written and one oral.
—Cameron Fields, cleveland, 29 Sep. 2021
Due to its remoteness, Svan culture evolved over the centuries in isolation from the rest of Georgian lands, developing a unique oral-only language and traditions such as ritual beard cutting and blood feuds.
—Melissa Findley, National Geographic, 20 Nov. 2020
Astrid agrees, setting a few ground rules: no eye contact, no kissing after oral.
—Shannon Carlin, refinery29.com, 24 June 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near oral
Cite this Entry
“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
oral
adjective1
a
: of, relating to, or involving the mouth : buccal
the oral mucous membrane
b
: given or taken through or by way of the mouth
an oral vaccine
an oral suspension of a drug
c
: acting on the mouth
oral diseases
2
: emphasizing lipreading and the development of vocal expression in teaching the deaf compare manual sense 2
3
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by the first stage of psychosexual development in psychoanalytic theory during which libidinal gratification is derived from intake (as of food), by sucking, and later by biting
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependence and aggressiveness compare anal sense 2, genital sense 3, phallic sense 2
orally
adverb
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