What does the term 'slander' describe in legal context?

The term 'slander' in a legal context specifically refers to false statements that are made orally, which damage a person's reputation. It is a form of defamation, contrasting with 'libel', which pertains to false statements made in writing. The essence of slander involves the delivery of harmful and untrue information through spoken words, leading to potential legal action by the party whose reputation has been harmed. This distinction is crucial in law, as different standards and considerations often apply to spoken versus written statements when assessing defamation claims.