oratorio

noun

or·​a·​to·​rio ˌȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-ē-ˌō How to pronounce oratorio (audio)
ˌär-
plural oratorios
: a lengthy choral work usually of a religious nature consisting chiefly of recitatives, arias, and choruses without action or scenery

Examples of oratorio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His stature is owed above all to a single work—the oratorio Messiah. Jan Swafford, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2024 The oratorio, plus related music, will be performed twice each day in the Appel Room by the Jazz at Pride Orchestra on October 18 and 19 and also be streamed. Jane Levere, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 An oratorio is a large concert piece for orchestra and singers. David Lyman, The Enquirer, 12 July 2024 The Bob Marley Musical) and Abrams — who, back in 2017, wrote a multimedia opera-rap oratorio mashup titled The Greatest: Muhammad Ali for the Louisville Orchestra –the idea for Ali sprang from that score. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for oratorio 

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from the Oratorio di San Filippo Neri (Oratory of St. Philip Neri) in Rome

First Known Use

1724, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of oratorio was in 1724

Dictionary Entries Near oratorio

Cite this Entry

“Oratorio.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oratorio. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

oratorio

noun
or·​a·​to·​rio ˌȯr-ə-ˈtōr-ē-ˌō How to pronounce oratorio (audio)
ˌär-,
-ˈtȯr-
plural oratorios
: a vocal and orchestral work usually dramatizing a religious subject without action or scenery
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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