oration

IPA/ɔːˈreɪʃn/
KK[ɔrˈeʃən]IPA/ɔːˈreɪʃn/

oration — noun

  • orationsingular
  • orationsplural

1. a carefully prepared talk delivered to an audience on an important topic, often

1.nounC2
Definition

a carefully prepared talk delivered to an audience on an important topic, often at a ceremony or other official event

Example

At graduation, Asher delivered an oration urging classmates to serve their city.

deliver an oration at a formal ceremony

The judge's funeral oration moved even the oldest lawyers to tears.

collocation: funeral oration

Common collocations
  • deliver an oration
  • give an oration
  • funeral oration
  • memorial oration
  • opening oration
Synonyms
  • speech

    broader and more neutral; it can describe many kinds of public or private speaking

  • address

    formal like 'oration', but often tied to official occasions or a direct appeal to an audience

  • lecture

    focuses on teaching or explanation rather than ceremonial effect

  • sermon

    specifically religious or moral in tone

Grammar Patterns

give/deliver an oration

oration on/about [topic]

Usage Note

Usually refers to a long, carefully shaped speech for a ceremony, memorial, political gathering, or other solemn occasion. It sounds more literary and elevated than the everyday words speech or talk.

Common Mistakes

The professor gave an oration on algebra in class.
The professor gave a lecture on algebra in class.
'oration' usually suggests a ceremonial or grand public speech, not an ordinary teaching lesson.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Oration is the most elevated word in this group. It suggests a carefully shaped public speech meant to sound impressive, serious, or memorable, often at a ceremony, memorial event, or political gathering. Speech is the broad everyday term and can describe almost any spoken presentation. Address is also formal, but it often highlights the occasion or the speaker's official role more than the style itself. Lecture points to teaching and explanation, not ceremony. Sermon belongs to religious settings and often carries moral instruction. A president may deliver an oration at a national memorial, but a teacher gives a lecture and a minister preaches a sermon.

speech ↗address ↗lecture ↗sermon ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • deliver an oration
  • give an oration
  • compose an oration

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Oration was borrowed from Latin oratio, a word that could mean a speech, a plea, or a prayer. It is built on the verb orare, meaning to speak, plead, or pray. In English, the word settled into a narrower use for a formal, carefully composed public speech, especially one meant for a solemn or ceremonial occasion.