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

After purchasing the property in 2020, the pair immediately got to work on transforming it into an oasis for their blended family. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026

To turn your bedroom into a serene oasis conducive to rest and relaxation, the organizer recommends incorporating thoughtful storage solutions that eliminate visual clutter. — Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 8 Aug. 2026

The budget-friendly, yet comfortable, micro-hotel is an oasis of art and design on an otherwise hectic street. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

Sleeping Figure is now permanently installed in Marfa, the West Texas art oasis built up by Donald Judd. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 7 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