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

Together, they’ve been reimagined into a private oasis with seven bedrooms, a cabana, a home theater, a gym, and, of course, postcard-worthy Biscayne Bay views. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025

But one of my favorite standouts of this dreamy oasis is the culinary academy, housed in what was once the village schoolhouse where local children learned for nearly two centuries. —Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Walk Around a Beautiful Garden This tropical oasis on Florida Tech’s campus is free and open to the public. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2025

The resort may be just 15 minutes from Ubud's bustling downtown, but its private one-bedroom villas, scattered throughout the property, are serene oases nestled in the lush jungle. —Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025

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
• atelectasis
• bronchiectasis
• homeostasis

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