oral

adjective \ ˈȯr-əl , ˈär- \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Examples: oral in a Sentence

Definition of oral

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

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orality

play \ȯ-ˈra-lə-tē, ō-\ noun

—

orally

play \ˈȯr-ə-lē, ˈär-\ adverb

See oral defined for English-language learners

See oral defined for kids

Examples of oral in a Sentence

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 of oral from the Web

Jim Kelly’s latest surgery for oral cancer was a success.

— kalyn kahler, SI.com, "Duvernay-Tardif, M.D.: NFL Should Let the Doctor Have His Jersey," 26 June 2018
She had been treated for oral cancer that was diagnosed in 2016.

— richard goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, "Maria Bueno, 78; Brazilian was ‘queen of tennis’ in 1960s," 11 June 2018
She had been treated for oral cancer that was diagnosed in 2016.

— richard goldstein, New York Times, "Maria Bueno, Brazilian Tennis Star Who Reigned Over 1960s, Dies at 78," 9 June 2018
Saliva contains plenty of hormones that can provide real-time health information or be used to diagnose diseases from oral cancer to diabetes.

— angela chen, The Verge, "How sensors are giving us another way to peek inside our bodies," 25 May 2018
The court is required to rule within 90 days of oral arguments, which would make its deadline late August.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "If state Supreme Court rules against San Diego on pensions, it could could cost city millions," 14 July 2018
The first two oral arguments take place in a mock courtroom in the law school.

— david jesse, Detroit Free Press, "Possible Supreme Court pick Kethledge's ties to University of Michigan," 9 July 2018
Three of the court's conservative justices — Rebecca Bradley, Michael Gableman and Daniel Kelly — peppered Marquette's attorney with pointed questions during oral arguments in April.

— bruce vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin Supreme Court sides with Marquette professor John McAdams in free speech case, orders university to reinstate him," 6 July 2018
Arias will then be allowed to reply to the state's counterargument before the case goes before a three-judge panel for oral argument.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "First look: Jodi Arias' defense attorneys file 342-page brief in conviction appeal," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'oral.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of oral

Latin or-, os mouth; akin to Old Norse ōss mouth of a river, Sanskrit ās mouth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1597

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

oral Synonyms

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

oral

noun

Definition of oral

: an oral examination —usually used in plural

See oral defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of oral

1876

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

Oral

geographical name \ ȯ-ˈräl \

variants: or Uralsk play \ü-ˈrälsk, yu̇-ˈralsk\

Definition of Oral

city on the Ural River in western Kazakhstan population 202,161

ORAL Defined for English Language Learners

oral

adjective

Definition of oral for English Language Learners

: of or relating to the mouth
—used to describe a medicine that you eat or swallow
: spoken rather than written

oral

noun

Definition of oral for English Language Learners

: a test in which you answer questions by speaking rather than by writing : an oral examination

ORAL Defined for Kids

oral

adjective \ ˈȯr-əl \

Definition of oral for Students

1 : ²spoken 1

an oral agreement

2 : of, involving, or given by the mouth

an oral medication

oral hygiene

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orally

adverb

Medical Dictionary

oral

adjective \ ˈōr-əl, ˈȯr-, ˈär- \

medical Definition of oral

1 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 2

b : of, relating to, or characterized by personality traits of passive dependence and aggressiveness — compare anal 2, genital 3, phallic 2

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orality

play \ȯ-ˈral-ət-ē, ō-\ noun, plural -ties

—

orally

adverb

Learn More about oral

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oral Spanish Central: Translation of 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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oral

Definition of oral

orality

orally

Examples of oral in a Sentence

Recent Examples of oral from the Web

Origin and Etymology of oral

oral Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Related Words

Other Anatomy Terms

oral

Definition of oral

First Known Use of oral

Other Education Terms

Oral

Definition of Oral

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ORAL Defined for English Language Learners

oral

Definition of oral for English Language Learners

oral

Definition of oral for English Language Learners

ORAL Defined for Kids

oral

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orally

Medical Dictionary

oral

medical Definition of oral

orality

orally

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