1. (psychoanalysis) the first sexual and social stage of an infant's development; the mouth is the focus of the libido and satisfaction comes from suckling and chewing and biting
   "Freud believed the oral stage lasted from birth to about 18 months";
   - oral phase

Derived forms: oral stages

Type of: phase, stage

Part of: babyhood, early childhood, infancy

Encyclopedia: Oral stage