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

Grab all the girls and coordinate in Nantucket Reds for this New England island oasis. — Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

With Lula’s fourth mandate, Brazil looks set to remain a huge oasis of progressive pro-film governmental policies, aiding filmmakers throughout the region, as seen in the latest films, for example, of Rodrigo Teixeira. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

But locals rely on that area for much more than golfing — and worry the district could lose an invaluable recreational oasis. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026

The neighborhood/area The Palmwag Concession is a 1,359,080-acre oasis in the Damaraland, right next to the Skeleton Coast National Park. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 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