Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

oratory

noun or·a·to·ry \ ˈȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē , ˈär- \

Definition of oratory

plural oratories
1 : a place of prayer; especially : a private or institutional chapel
  • The mansion contained an oratory for the family's private devotion.
2 capitalized : an Oratorian congregation, house, or church

Origin and Etymology of oratory

Middle English oratorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin oratorium, from Latin orare

2

oratory

noun

Definition of oratory

1 : the art of speaking in public eloquently or effectively
2 a : public speaking that employs oratory
b : public speaking that is characterized by the use of stock phrases and that appeals chiefly to the emotions

Origin and Etymology of oratory

Latin oratoria, from feminine of oratorius oratorical, from orare

ORATORY Defined for Kids

oratory

noun or·a·to·ry \ ˈȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē \

Definition of oratory for Students

1 : the art of making speeches
2 : the style of language used in important speeches

Learn More about oratory

  1. See words that rhyme with oratory Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for oratory Spanish Central: Translation of oratory Nglish: Translation of oratory for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oratory

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up oratory? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

imperturbable

play

very hard to disturb or upset

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

oratory
orb

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games