How to pronounce oration
Say it like or-AY-shun. Oration has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce oration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- or
- AY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Oration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- orKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of oration
American and British speakers say oration in essentially the same way: /ɔˈreɪʃən/ in the US and /ɒˈreɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: o-RAY-shun.
What does oration mean?
- A formal, often ceremonial speech.“a funeral oration; an impassioned oration; to make / deliver / pronounce an oration”
- A lengthy speech or argument in a private setting.
- A specific form of short, solemn prayer said by the president of the liturgical celebration on behalf of the people.
- To deliver an oration; to speak.
Where does oration come from?
Borrowed from Latin ōrātiō, ōrātiōnem, from ōrō (“to orate”) + -tiō (“action (nominalizer)”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with oration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of oration.
Questions about saying oration
How do you pronounce oration?
Say or-AY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ɔˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɒˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in oration?
Oration has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AY). Broken into parts: or · AY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say oration the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɔˈreɪʃən/ and the British form is /ɒˈreɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.