What does the term "slander" refer to in the context of defamation?

The term "slander" specifically refers to spoken false statements that damage a person's reputation. In legal terms, slander is a form of defamation that occurs when one party makes an untrue statement about another, which then leads to harm to the individual's reputation. Unlike libel, which deals with written defamation, slander is concerned with oral communications. This distinction is important in legal contexts, as the burden of proof and the nature of evidence required can vary significantly between these two forms of defamation. Understanding this term is critical since defamation laws aim to protect individuals from wrongful harm to their reputations caused by false statements.