orator

noun

or·​a·​tor ˈȯr-ə-tər 

ˈär-

1

: one who delivers an oration

The orator delivered the funeral oration at the cathedral.

2

: one distinguished for skill and power as a public speaker

… is a masterly orator, able to reduce a throng of thousands to a hushed silence …

—Raymond Bonner

Synonyms of orator

• lecturer
• speaker

Examples of orator in a Sentence

though a brilliant wordsmith, Thomas Jefferson was by his own admission an unskilled orator

Recent Examples on the Web

The power of an orator who can, in this way, fuse feeling and doctrine is immense. — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Her father Walter was a prominent lawyer and orator. — Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026

King’s greatest talent as an orator was improvisation. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Alfaro is among international football’s best orators. — Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

orator

noun

or·​a·​tor ˈȯr-ət-ər 

ˈär-

: a public speaker noted for skill and power in speaking