orator

noun

or·​a·​tor ˈȯr-ə-tər How to pronounce orator (audio)
ˈär-
Synonyms of orator
1
: one who delivers an oration
The orator delivered the funeral oration at the cathedral.
2
: one distinguished for skill and power as a public speaker
… is a masterly orator, able to reduce a throng of thousands to a hushed silence …Raymond Bonner

Examples of orator in a Sentence

though a brilliant wordsmith, Thomas Jefferson was by his own admission an unskilled orator
Recent Examples on the Web
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Photography and the secret of Frederick Douglass' power Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery and became an influential orator, writer and intellectual, was the most photographed person in America in the 19th century. David Morgan, CBS News, 26 June 2026 The Greek philosopher and orator Antisthenes, commonly referred to as the father of Cynicism, famously taught his students at the Cynosarges. Theodore McDarrah, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 King’s greatest talent as an orator was improvisation. Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026 Alfaro is among international football’s best orators. Felipe Cardenas, New York Times, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for orator

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of orator was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Orator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orator. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

orator

noun
or·​a·​tor ˈȯr-ət-ər How to pronounce orator (audio)
ˈär-
: a public speaker noted for skill and power in speaking

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