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
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
Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The state recently passed a law to allow pharmacists to provide oral fluoride without a prescription.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for oral
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Adjective
First Trump policy to hit the Supreme Court The appeal is the first from the Trump administration that the Supreme Court agreed to consider through oral arguments.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 15 May 2025
The state recently passed a law to allow pharmacists to provide oral fluoride without a prescription.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
Noun
Swedish Match data shows the vast majority are previous consumers of traditional oral, vaping, and cigarette products with others coming from other nicotine product categories.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for oral
Cite this Entry
“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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