First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1or
conjunction \ər, ˈȯr, Southern also ˈär\
Definition of OR
1
—used as a function word to indicate an alternative <coffee or tea> <sink or swim>, the equivalent or substitutive character of two words or phrases <lessen or abate>, or approximation or uncertainty <in five or six days>
2
archaic : either
3
archaic : whether
4
—used in logic as a sentential connective that forms a complex sentence which is true when at least one of its constituent sentences is true — compare disjunction
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Origin of OR
Middle English, alteration of other, alteration of Old English oththe; akin to Old High German eddo or
2or
preposition
Definition of OR
archaic : before
Origin of OR
Middle English, from or, adverb, early, before, from Old Norse ār; akin to Old English ǣr early — more at ere
First Known Use: 13th century
3or
conjunction
4or
noun \ˈȯr\
Definition of OR
: the heraldic color gold or yellow
Origin of OR
Middle English, from Anglo-French, gold, from Latin aurum — more at aureus
First Known Use: 15th century
1OR
noun \ˈȯr\
Definition of OR
: a logical operator that requires either of two inputs to be present or conditions to be met for an output to be made or a statement to be executed <OR gate in a computer>
Origin of OR
1or
First Known Use: circa 1956
2OR
abbreviation
Definition of OR
1
operating room
2
operational research; operations research
3
Oregon
4
owner's risk
5
own recognizance
See OR defined for English-language learners
OR[1] Defined for Kids
or
conjunction \ər, ˈȯr\
Definition of OR for Kids
—used between words or phrases that are choices <juice or milk> <Will you leave or stay?>
OR
abbreviation
Definition of OR for Kids
Oregon
Learn More About OR
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Next Word in the Dictionary: -or (noun suffix)Previous Word in the Dictionary: oquassaAll Words Near: or
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