oath
noun
ˈōth 
plural oaths ˈōt͟hz
ˈōths
1
a(1)
: a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says
(2)
: a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one's words
The witness took an oath to tell the truth in court.
b
: something (such as a promise) corroborated by an oath
They were required to swear an oath of loyalty.
took the oath of office
2
: an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name
broadly : swear word
He uttered an oath and stormed away.
Synonyms
- pledge
- promise
- troth
- vow
- word
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
an oath to defend the nation He uttered an oath and walked away.
Recent Examples on the Web Prosecutors could subpoena those lawyers and force them to testify under oath before a grand jury. 
David Rohde, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 Instead, jurors will have to rely on under-oath testimony about Brittany from other witnesses in order to decide if prosecutors have met their burden. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 Hutchinson testified under oath that those details were conveyed to her by Anthony Ornato, a Secret Service agent who also served as Trump’s deputy chief of staff. Jacqueline Alemany And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Sep. 2022 The interview was conducted under oath at the Orange County Jail. Annie Martin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Mirell said Webster lacked remorse in comments Jan. 6 and under oath at trial. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2022 Many on Twitter compared her to Amber Heard, which is kind of a weird thing to say considering Heard is accused by her haters of lying under oath about her celebrity ex raping her with a wine bottle and Wilde is being accused of…. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2022 Burson testified in front of the commission at a hearing in July and, under oath, said that he, in turn, had been directed by Villanueva’s chief of staff, on behalf of the sheriff, to steer the investigation away from the Banditos. Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 During a brief hearing Wednesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman said none of the bogus claimants showed up to provide evidence under oath so their claims will be struck from the list of settlement beneficiaries. Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 See More
David Rohde, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 Instead, jurors will have to rely on under-oath testimony about Brittany from other witnesses in order to decide if prosecutors have met their burden. Megan Crepeau, Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 Hutchinson testified under oath that those details were conveyed to her by Anthony Ornato, a Secret Service agent who also served as Trump’s deputy chief of staff. Jacqueline Alemany And Josh Dawsey, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Sep. 2022 The interview was conducted under oath at the Orange County Jail. Annie Martin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2022 Mirell said Webster lacked remorse in comments Jan. 6 and under oath at trial. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 1 Sep. 2022 Many on Twitter compared her to Amber Heard, which is kind of a weird thing to say considering Heard is accused by her haters of lying under oath about her celebrity ex raping her with a wine bottle and Wilde is being accused of…. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2022 Burson testified in front of the commission at a hearing in July and, under oath, said that he, in turn, had been directed by Villanueva’s chief of staff, on behalf of the sheriff, to steer the investigation away from the Banditos. Alene Tchekmedyianstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 During a brief hearing Wednesday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman said none of the bogus claimants showed up to provide evidence under oath so their claims will be struck from the list of settlement beneficiaries. Curt Anderson, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English ooth, from Old English āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Phrases Containing oath
Kids Definition
oath
noun
ˈōth
plural oaths
ˈōt͟hz,
ˈōths
1
: a solemn promise to tell the truth or do a specific thing
2
: an obscene or impolite word used to express anger or frustration
Medical Definition
oath
see hippocratic oath
Legal Definition
oath
noun
1
: a solemn attestation of the truth of one's words or the sincerity of one's intentions
specifically : one accompanied by calling upon a deity as a witness
2
: a promise (as to perform official duties faithfully) corroborated by an oath compare perjury
oath
noun
as in promise
a person's solemn declaration that he or she will do or not do something I need your oath that you won't do anything until I've had time to make a decision Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- promise
- vow
- pledge
- word
- assurance
- commitment
- troth
- obligation
- covenant
- contract
- agreement
- appointment
- engagement
- arrangement
- guarantee
- guaranty
- token
- security
- undertaking
- warranty
- compact
- bond
- gage
- deposit
- bail
- pawn
- buckwash
- buckwheat
- buckwheat cake
- buckwheat coal
- buckwheat family
- buckwheat honey
- buckwheat note
- buckwheat tree
- buckwheat vine
- buckwheater
- buckwheatest
- buckwheats
- buckwheatter
- buckwheattest
- bucky
- buckyball
- buckyballs
- buckytube
- buckytubes
- bucoliast
- bucolic
- bucolic caesura
- bucolic diaeresis
- bucolically
- bucolics