plural oaths
ˈōt͟hz 
ˈōths
1
a(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
Examples of oath in a Sentence
an oath to defend the nation
He uttered an oath and walked away.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mayorkas took an oath to uphold the Constitution and discharge the duties of his office.
—
The Editors, National Review, 19 Apr. 2024
But after senators take the oath, how things go from there is a somewhat open question.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024
Then, every senator must sign the oath book at the front of the chamber in groups of four.
—Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
And then there’s the unspoken cultural oath that Black women have taken to protect Black men.
—Amy Dubois Barnett, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Courts and legal groups had for months debated the meaning of the post-Civil War provision at the center of the case, language that prohibits certain officials who took an oath to support the Constitution – and then engaged in insurrection – from serving in office again.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024
Since Aguilar does not appear to have previously served in office, or taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, she couldn’t be removed from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, Hasen said.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Earlier this month, Georgia Superior Court Judge Scott MacAfee dismissed six of the counts against Trump and his co-defendants, for soliciting the oath of a public officer, due to a technical fault in the indictment.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2024
The judge said prosecutors failed to allege sufficient detail regarding the nature of the allegations related to soliciting public officers to violate their oaths.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2024
The Editors, National Review, 19 Apr. 2024
But after senators take the oath, how things go from there is a somewhat open question.
—Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2024
Then, every senator must sign the oath book at the front of the chamber in groups of four.
—Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 10 Apr. 2024
And then there’s the unspoken cultural oath that Black women have taken to protect Black men.
—Amy Dubois Barnett, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2024
Courts and legal groups had for months debated the meaning of the post-Civil War provision at the center of the case, language that prohibits certain officials who took an oath to support the Constitution – and then engaged in insurrection – from serving in office again.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024
Since Aguilar does not appear to have previously served in office, or taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, she couldn’t be removed from the ballot under the 14th Amendment, Hasen said.
—USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024
Earlier this month, Georgia Superior Court Judge Scott MacAfee dismissed six of the counts against Trump and his co-defendants, for soliciting the oath of a public officer, due to a technical fault in the indictment.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2024
The judge said prosecutors failed to allege sufficient detail regarding the nature of the allegations related to soliciting public officers to violate their oaths.
—Alanna Durkin Richer, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oath.' 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 oath
Cite this Entry
“Oath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oath. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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