oralism
noun
oral·ism
ˈȯr-ə-ˌli-zəm 
ˈär-
: advocacy or use of the oral method of teaching people who are deaf
Examples of oralism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By the time Ami Tsuji-Jones enrolled at the deaf school in the 1960s, oralism was seen by critics as a failure.
—
Corinne Chin, CNN, 8 Oct. 2021
But as oralism came to dominate deaf education, largely through Bell’s reputation, deaf communities responded by further embracing sign.
—BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2021
The oralism Bell championed was a disaster for the deaf.
—New York Times, 6 Apr. 2021
Bonet’s approach combined oralism—using sounds to communicate—with sign language.
—National Geographic, 28 May 2019
And though oralism triumphed nationally, sign language won out as the preferred method of communication at Gallaudet.
—Matthew Davis, The Atlantic, 10 May 2017
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Corinne Chin, CNN, 8 Oct. 2021
But as oralism came to dominate deaf education, largely through Bell’s reputation, deaf communities responded by further embracing sign.
—BostonGlobe.com, 8 Apr. 2021
The oralism Bell championed was a disaster for the deaf.
—New York Times, 6 Apr. 2021
Bonet’s approach combined oralism—using sounds to communicate—with sign language.
—National Geographic, 28 May 2019
And though oralism triumphed nationally, sign language won out as the preferred method of communication at Gallaudet.
—Matthew Davis, The Atlantic, 10 May 2017
Cite this Entry
“Oralism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oralism. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
oralism
noun
oral·ism
ˈōr-ə-ˌliz-əm, ˈȯr-, ˈär-
: advocacy or use of the oral method of teaching the deaf
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