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, 28 June 2025
Advertisement During oral arguments, Sauer argued on behalf of the Trump Administration that nationwide injunctions are unconstitutional and that the lower counts should have only been able to block Trump’s order in relation to those who had filed lawsuits.
—Nik Popli, Time, 27 June 2025
Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for oral
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Adjective
In classrooms across the country, children are routinely taught ideas that conflict with their family's religious beliefs, lawyers for the Montgomery County Public Schools told the court during April’s oral arguments.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Advertisement During oral arguments, Sauer argued on behalf of the Trump Administration that nationwide injunctions are unconstitutional and that the lower counts should have only been able to block Trump’s order in relation to those who had filed lawsuits.
—Nik Popli, Time, 27 June 2025
Noun
This come-worthy vibe is giving all the oral, none of the tongue.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Oct. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for oral
Cite this Entry
“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oral. Accessed 8 Jul. 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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