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
Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2023
On Tuesday the Justices heard oral arguments in a case that challenges the state’s legislative district maps and would give the Justices broad authority to draw new ones.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments for more than three hours Tuesday in a high-stakes voting rights case that could upend the state's election maps, put every member of the legislature up for reelection next year, and play a role in the 2024 presidential race.
—Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
But during oral arguments this month, justices on both sides of the Supreme Court’s ideological divide seemed to indicate that the Constitution does not prohibit legislatures from passing laws to disarm individuals found to be dangerous.
—Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
Some labs are experimenting with such an approach: oral antidotes, which target proteins in venom that are most toxic to humans.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
District Judge Larry Burns dismissed the case in January but oral argument is expected early next year at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal.
Staff writer Alex Riggins contributed to this report.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
Pneumonia, oral ulcers, recurrent laryngitis, and, in rare cases, squamous cell carcinoma are also possible recurrent infections that can occur because of LPR.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 16 Nov. 2023
What to know before taking oral tranexamic acid My experience with oral tranexamic acid
Another account of using oral tranexamic acid
The final word on oral tranexamic acid
What is melasma?
—Taryn Brooke, Allure, 13 Nov. 2023
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
See More
Adjective
As a last resort, the media brief argues, even adding public audio (as the Supreme Court has done in its oral arguments) would help.
—Amy Davidson Sorkin, The New Yorker, 26 Nov. 2023
On Tuesday the Justices heard oral arguments in a case that challenges the state’s legislative district maps and would give the Justices broad authority to draw new ones.
—The Editorial Board, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments for more than three hours Tuesday in a high-stakes voting rights case that could upend the state's election maps, put every member of the legislature up for reelection next year, and play a role in the 2024 presidential race.
—Barnini Chakraborty, Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2023
But during oral arguments this month, justices on both sides of the Supreme Court’s ideological divide seemed to indicate that the Constitution does not prohibit legislatures from passing laws to disarm individuals found to be dangerous.
—Salvador Rizzo, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023
Some labs are experimenting with such an approach: oral antidotes, which target proteins in venom that are most toxic to humans.
—Kamala Thiagarajan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
District Judge Larry Burns dismissed the case in January but oral argument is expected early next year at the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal.
Staff writer Alex Riggins contributed to this report.
—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Nov. 2023
Pneumonia, oral ulcers, recurrent laryngitis, and, in rare cases, squamous cell carcinoma are also possible recurrent infections that can occur because of LPR.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 16 Nov. 2023
What to know before taking oral tranexamic acid My experience with oral tranexamic acid
Another account of using oral tranexamic acid
The final word on oral tranexamic acid
What is melasma?
—Taryn Brooke, Allure, 13 Nov. 2023
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
See More
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.
Word History
Phrases Containing oral
Dictionary Entries Near oral
Cite this Entry
“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
oral
adjectiveˈōr-əl,
ˈȯr-,
ˈär-
1
: uttered by the mouth : spoken
2
: of, relating to, given by, or near the mouth
oral hygiene
orally
adverb
-ə-lē
Medical 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
More from Merriam-Webster on oral
Nglish: Translation of oral for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of oral for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oral
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