O‐ra″tion (?), n. [L. oratio, fr. orare to speak, utter, pray. See Oral, Orison.] 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.
The lord archbishop... made a long oration. Bacon.
Syn. — Address; speech. See Harangue.