oration
UK /ɒˈɹeɪʃən/ · US /ɔɹˈeɪʃən/ noun, verb
Forms orations orationing orationed
- noun A formal, often ceremonial speech. “a funeral oration; an impassioned oration; to make / deliver / pronounce an oration”
- noun (humorous) A lengthy speech or argument in a private setting.
- noun (Catholicism) A specific form of short, solemn prayer said by the president of the liturgical celebration on behalf of the people.
- verb To deliver an oration; to speak.
Synonyms
eulogy homily sermon address discourse harangue lecture spiel hold forth orate sermonize speechify
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin ōrātiō, ōrātiōnem, from ōrō (“to orate”) + -tiō (“action (nominalizer)”). Cognate with and doublet of orison.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An elaborate discourse, delivered in public, treating an important subject in a formal and dignified manner; especially, a discourse having reference to some special occasion, as a funeral, an anniversary, a celebration, or the like; --distinguished from an argument in court, a popular harangue, a sermon, a lecture, etc.; as, Webster's oration at Bunker Hill.
- verb To deliver an oration. Donne.
Etymology [L. oratio, fr. orare to speak, utter, pray. See Oral, Orison.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “oration”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details