ər,
ˈȯr 
Southern also ˈär
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 phraseslessen or abate
, or approximation or uncertaintyin 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
archaic
: before
archaic
: before
: a logical operator that requires at least one 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
1
operating room
2
operational research; operations research
3
Oregon
4
owner's risk
5
own recognizance
: one that does a (specified) thing
grantor
: condition : activity
demeanor
Cite this Entry
“Or.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/or. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share