\ ˈōth
\
\
plural oaths\
ˈōt͟hz
, ˈōths
\
, ˈōths
\
Definition of oath
1a(1)
: a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god 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.
Examples of oath in a Sentence
an oath to defend the nation
He uttered an oath and walked away.
Recent Examples on the Web
Public servants following their oath will not be deterred in representing all of the people who elected us.
—
orlandosentinel.com, 7 Jan. 2022
Johnson was indicted in September on counts of violating her oath of office and hindering law enforcement.
—
Eliott C. Mclaughlin, CNN, 7 Jan. 2022
Due to a prior commitment, Zacharyasz was unable to attend the ceremony and took his oath earlier.
—
Beth Mlady, cleveland, 7 Jan. 2022
As confetti continued to drift across Times Square, Adams recited his oath of office.
—
Fox News, 2 Jan. 2022
As confetti drifted across Times Square, Adams recited his oath of office.
—
Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2022
As confetti continued to drift across Times Square, Adams recited his oath of office.
—
Time, 1 Jan. 2022
New York City’s incoming mayor, Eric Adams, took his oath in Times Square soon after the ball drop.
—
Bobby Caina Calvan, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2022
Just Pursuit also serves as a memoir of a woman repeatedly torn between upholding her oath as a public servant and her lived experience as a Black woman and mother in the United States.
—
Rachel King, Fortune, 1 Jan. 2022
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oath.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Cite this Entry
“Oath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oath. Accessed 17 Jan. 2022.
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More Definitions for oath
oath
noun
English Language Learners Definition of oath
: a formal and serious promise to tell the truth or to do something
: an offensive or rude word that is used to express anger, frustration, surprise, etc.
See the full definition for oath in the English Language Learners Dictionary
oath
noun
\ ˈōth
\
\
plural oaths\
ˈōt͟hz , ˈōths
\
Kids Definition of oath
1
: a solemn promise to tell the truth or do a specific thing
2
: an obscene or impolite word used to express anger or frustration
oath
Medical Definition of oath
— see hippocratic oath
oath
nounLegal Definition of oath
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
under oath
: under a solemn and especially legal obligation to tell the truth (as when testifying)
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Time Traveler for oath
The first known use of oath was before the 12th century
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