adj · noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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US:/səˈluː.təˌtɔːɹ.iː/
rhymes with -uːtətɔːɹi
UK:/səˈljuː.təˌtɜːɹ.iː/
UK:/səˈljuː.təˌtɹiː/
rhymes with -uːtətɜːɹi
rhymes with -uːtətɹiː
1
adj
Meaning 1
Characteristic of or relating to a salutation or greeting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a salutatory oration
a salutatory editorial
a salutatory address
1659, David Dickson, An Exposition of All St. Pauls Epistles Together with an Explanation of Those Other Epistles of the Apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude, London: Francis Eglesfield, “The First Epistle General of Peter,” Chapter 1, p. 287, In the benediction, or salutatory prayer, he wishes for encrease and multiplication of the effects of Divine favour towards them [...]
2018, Scott Jaschik (quoting Joey King), “Should Presidents Hug?” Inside Higher Ed, 19 February, 2018, King said that he knows "plenty of huggers, male and female, who are presidents and provosts." He said that they "tend to overdo it, in my opinion. My advice would be to stick with more professional salutatory behavior but for exceptional circumstances."
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A greeting; an address, speech or article of greeting; the first editorial by the new editor of a newspaper or periodical; an introduction or preface.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Examples
She was chosen to deliver the salutatory at the commencement ceremony.
1916, Max B. May, Isaac Mayer Wise, the Founder of American Judaism: A Biography, New York: Putnam, Chapter 16, p. 395, His life’s work is well summed up in his salutatory to vol. xliv. of the American Israelite [...]
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
A place for saluting or greeting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: vestibule, porch
Antonyms: none provided
4
noun
Meaning 4
an opening or welcoming statement (especially one delivered at graduation exercises)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: salutatory address, salutatory oration
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: oratory
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin salūs Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh2yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h2tiinflu. Proto-Italic *-ājō Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin salutō Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Proto-Indo-European *-(i)yós Proto-Italic *-ijos Proto-Italic *-ios Old Latin -ios Latin -ius Latin -tōrius Latin salūtātōriusbor. English salutatory Borrowed from Latin salūtātōrius.
