oasis

noun

oa·​sis ō-ˈā-səs 

plural oases ō-ˈā-ˌsēz 

1

: a fertile or green area in an arid region (such as a desert)

The caravan stopped to rest at an oasis.

2

: something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast

The small park is a welcome oasis amid the city's many factories.

Examples of oasis in a Sentence

The small park is a welcome oasis amid the city's many factories.

Our brief trip to the beach was a much-needed oasis in a summer of hard work.

Recent Examples on the Web

Students describe Oberlin as a kind of oasis, a place where high-school misfits can find a community of outsiders. — Jesse Dougherty, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Most notably, the Turia Gardens, spanning more than five miles from the city to the sea, transform a former riverbed into an urban oasis with walking and bike paths. — Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

But Hotel Cipriani — the luxury oasis opened in 1958 and home over the years to A-listers like Sophia Loren, Cary Grant, George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Lady Gaga — opened doors to a chic relaxation escape just in time for this year’s film fest. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Use your imagination to carve out a creative pathway to your garden oasis. — Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin Oasis, referring to the Great Oasis of Kharge in the Libyan Desert of Egypt, borrowed from Greek Óasis (Herodotus), borrowed from Egyptian wḥꜢ.t "fertile area in the desert"

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for oasis

• basis
• glacis
• mesas
• stasis
• anabasis
• cholestasis
• haemostasis
• hemostasis
• hypostasis
• periphrasis
• atelectasis
• bronchiectasis

Kids Definition

oasis

noun

oa·​sis ō-ˈā-səs 

plural oases -ˈā-ˌsēz 

1

: a fertile or green spot in a desert

2

: something or some place that provides refreshing relief