oratory

1 of 2

noun (1)

or·​a·​to·​ry ˈȯr-ə-ˌtȯr-ē 

ˈär-

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

oratory

2 of 2

noun (2)

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

Synonyms

Noun (2)

• elocution
• public speaking

Examples of oratory in a Sentence

Noun (2)

a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality

the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good. —John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025

Stevenson’s oratory magnetism was powerful enough to unite, at least for a couple of hours, these disparate and sometimes adversarial forces. —Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025

World & Nation Profile : Le Pen: Dark Side of the French Soul : Crude, powerful and dangerous, the onetime barroom brawler with the mesmerizing oratory has built a career on hatred. —Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Netanyahu has done little to aid Ukraine even in his oratory. —Melik Kaylan, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Latin oratoria, from feminine of oratorius oratorical, from orare

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oratory

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• category
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory

Kids Definition

oratory

1 of 2 noun

or·​a·​to·​ry ˈȯr-ə-ˌtōr-ē 

ˈär-,

-ˌtȯr-

plural oratories

: a place for prayer

especially : a private chapel

oratory

2 of 2 noun

1

: the art of an orator

2

: oratorical language or speeches