oath

noun

ˈōth 

plural oaths ˈōt͟hz 

ˈōths

1

a(1)

: a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a deity to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says

(2)

: a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one's words

The witness took an oath to tell the truth in court.

b

: something (such as a promise) corroborated by an oath

They were required to swear an oath of loyalty.

took the oath of office

2

: an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name

broadly : swear word

He uttered an oath and stormed away.

Synonyms of oath

• promise
• vow
• pledge

Examples of oath in a Sentence

an oath to defend the nation

He uttered an oath and walked away.

Recent Examples on the Web

Patterson’s niece, Jaelynn Holder, held the Bible that Patterson placed her hand on while reciting her oath, given by Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Carla Archie. —Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025

By this reasoning, every military oath ceremony becomes an act of sedition. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

Those in military uniforms take an oath to the Constitution, not a person or political party. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025

Technically, his most serious offense is altering records — deleting texts in this case — to interfere with the steroids investigation, as federal law places a higher penalty on destroying evidence than instances when police betray their oath and injure people without cause. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ooth, from Old English āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing oath

• Hippocratic oath
• oath of office
• on oath
• under oath

Rhymes for oath

• both
• doeth
• growth
• loath
• quoth
• sloth
• troth
• ingrowth
• outgrowth
• undergrowth

Kids Definition

oath

noun

ˈōth 

plural oaths ˈōt͟hz 

ˈōths

1

: a solemn appeal to God or to some deeply respected person or thing to witness to the truth of one's word or the sincerity of a promise

under oath to tell the truth

2

: a careless or improper use of a sacred name

also : swearword

Medical Definition

oath

see hippocratic oath

Legal Definition

oath

noun

1

: a solemn attestation of the truth of one's words or the sincerity of one's intentions

specifically : one accompanied by calling upon a deity as a witness

2

: a promise (as to perform official duties faithfully) corroborated by an oath compare perjury