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
Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 1 May 2025
Speaking during oral arguments for Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, the conservative justice questioned Oklahoma's attitudes toward religious freedom, arguing that the state should allow for the creation of a Catholic charter school.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
May Be Useful in Acne Treatment People with acne often have lowered serum zinc levels, and both oral and topical zinc have been found to reduce the prevalence of inflammatory papules, both when used as monotherapy and as a supplemental therapy.5
4.
—Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 1 May 2025
Speaking during oral arguments for Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, the conservative justice questioned Oklahoma's attitudes toward religious freedom, arguing that the state should allow for the creation of a Catholic charter school.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 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 13 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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