orator

noun

or·​a·​tor ˈȯr-ə-tər How to pronounce orator (audio)
ˈär-
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 silenceRaymond 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
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.
Cicero: The Roman Cicero is an orator in Julius Caesar. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 14 Oct. 2024 But Nasrallah has also proved a charismatic leader and orator who has bolstered Hezbollah’s legitimacy through a sophisticated communication strategy and has overcome harsh criticism before. Nicole Narea, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024 Despite having received no formal education, Douglass proved to be a dazzling orator who had firsthand experience of enslavement. Christine Kinealy, The Conversation, 14 June 2024 In the final version, Esposito plays Franklyn Cicero, a politician loosely inspired by both David Dinkins (who served as New York’s first Black mayor from 1990 to 1993) and Roman writer, poet, lawyer, statesman, and orator Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC – 43 BC). Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 12 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near orator

Cite this Entry

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

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

More from Merriam-Webster on orator

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