1. A speech, lecture, or other instance of formal or ceremonial public speaking: At the funeral, the pastor held an oration emphasizing the outstanding phases of Mr. Dodson's life.
2. A speech that is considered pompous, boring, or inappropriately long: The oration that Mr. Smith gave was so dull and uninspiring that some in the audience fell asleep or left early.
3. An academic speech that is designed to show the speaker's rhetorical skills, especially a speech given as an exercise in public speaking; Jack took part in a public speaking contest where there were many who gave orations dealing with politics.